The state in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has unveiled new evidence, including photos that have never been seen before.
According to state prosecutor advocate George Baloyi, these photos are linked to accused number three, Mthobisi Mncube, who is represented by advocate Charles Mnisi.
On Monday, Baloyi told the Pretoria High Court that the state intends to call Sergeant Moses Mabasa, the cop who downloaded the photos from the suspects’ phones, to testify again.
“We’re bringing in three new photos of accused number three, it is actually one photo shown from three different angles,” Baloyi explained in court.
Photos retrieved from memory card
“These photos were found on the cellphone downloads of accused number three. Additionally, there were photos of accused number two which were found on the memory card on his cellphone, and these photos also include two photos of accused number one,” said Baloyi.
Sergeant Mabasa, who first started his testimony and finished it in August 2023, was recalled in May 2024. Now, the state wants him again.
However, before the application of the state was heard, defence counsel for accused number two, advocate Sipho Ramosepele, told the court that the two accused Sibiya and Mncube, represented by Mnisi, requested him to inform the court that they would like for the application to be put on hold until Mnisi comes back.
“With respect to Mr Sibiya and Mr Mncube, they have requested me to implore the court to allow them the opportunity for advocate Mnisi to respond to the application because there is a further instruction emanating from Mr Mncube which pertains to these particular photos, the photos that the state intends to use, and he says he can only give that instruction to Advocate Mnisi alone. They have implored me to ask for an adjournment,” he said.
Ramosepele further said he also requests an opportunity to draft a short heads of argument to respond to the application by the state.
The trial continues on Tuesday.
