Court officials’ arguments took centre stage as the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana goalie Senzo Meyiwa resumed on Monday at the Pretoria High Court.
This comes after the state notified the court that it would not be supplying the defence with any devices to use during the cross-examination by advocate Charles Mnisi, the attorney for accused one and three.
Advocate Ronnie Sibanda, the state prosecutor, claims that the defence requested last week that they bring their own operator to help them beam the photos in court.
Sibanda said the state accepts that.
“From now going forward, we request that they use their gadgets to demonstrate without involving the state. I believe they have laptops,” said Sibanda.
The state, according to Mnisi, was tinkering with the photos that were displayed in court.
Afterward, he stood up and asserted that his statements were true.
The state is also being petty, according to defence attorney Sipho Ramosepele, who is defending accused number two in the trial.
Judge chooses to remain silent
“As an attorney, not an advocate, I find it disheartening to see this level of pettiness among counsel as an officer of the court,” said Ramosepele.
“I came from magistrate’s courts and regional courts before I entered the high courts. But I have never seen pettiness like this.”
He added that what has been taking place in court is not professional.
“I was taught as a law student back at Wits in 1999 that as an attorney you stay above your emotions, you represent your client, and the state represents whoever with decorum to the court and professionalism amongst us, but what do I see today? I am amazed.
“I am sorry I could not hold myself; I had to put this on record.”
According to presiding Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, he is scared to speak for fear of being called names.
“If I speak up, people will label me as a racist, palooka, moegoe, or bhari. This is South Africa. Therefore, I am choosing to remain silent.
The trial continues.
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