The head of AfriForum's private prosecution unit, Gerrie Nel, reiterated that he believed the mastermind behind the murder of Senzo Meyiwa was still walking free.
(Reuters)
Speaking to journalists outside the Pretoria high court on Wednesday during a recess in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, the head of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, Gerrie Nel, reiterated that he believed the mastermind behind the murder of the footballer was still walking free.
Nel said he still does not believe that Meyiwa’s murder was a robbery gone wrong. It was, he said, a “contract killing”.
“The one thing that I am certain about is that now more and more people understand why we said that from the start, we had a good understanding of the facts and I have not changed my stance. I do think that as the case develops and if certain statements are admitted, then it will become more clear,” Nel said.
Meyiwa was fatally shot on 26 October 2014, at the home of his girlfriend, Kelly Kumalo, in Vosloorus, Gauteng.
The court previously heard evidence from the first state witness, Zandile Khumalo, who was in the house during the incident. She said that two intruders entered the house and demanded money and cell phones from those who were present.
Nel was appointed by the civil rights group in 2019 to represent the Meyiwa family in the murder investigation into the death of the Bafana Bafana captain.
Nel also spoke about the scuffle that broke out between the accused and a prison warder in court on Monday.
“It is very serious because an altercation with a warder executing his duties is not a small thing and we believe a case docket has been opened and we can assist if need be,” he said.
The national police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe, confirmed that a case had been opened by prison warder Vusi Jele on Wednesday.
The scuffle between accused number three Mthobisi Mncube, accused number four Mthokoziseni Maphisa and accused number five Fisokuhle Ntuli happened as the court took a short adjournment during the cross-examination of state witness, Sergeant Vusimuzi Mogane.
The accused told the court that Jele threatened to hit them if they did not follow seating instructions. They further said Jele grabbed Mncube and rammed him with his shoulder, and Mncube stood up to defend himself.
Defence advocate Charles Mnisi, representing Mncube, told the court that his client was defending himself after Jele had rammed him with his shoulder.
“Accused number three had to stand up and try to wipe out those blows, not as a matter of retaliation, but he was defending himself,” he said.
All five accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition.