Senzo Meyiwa murder witnesses turning trial into a joke
As the drama relating to the murder of Senzo Mayiwa unfolds at the Pretoria High Court, expectations are that even more interesting revelations are expected to manifest themselves when the trial resumes on June 12.
Recently Zandile Khumalo, the sister of the controversial singer Kelly Khumalo and Senzo’s girlfriend, demanded that her testimony could not be heard in full view of journalist and that it should not be recorded.
She informed the court through advocate Baloyi that since she is a prominent media personality, this would have an adverse impact on her image if details of her testimony were to be publicised during her testimony.
Presiding Judge Tshifiwo Maumela simply partially curtailed her demands, stating that the trial is of public interest and that it is crucial for her testimony to be heard.
Two other friends of Senzo who are State witnesses in the trial, namely Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Twala, who were also present at the Khumalo homestead that fateful night, also gave their testimony in court.
Both of them have been accused by the defence of fabricating their testimony during cross examination to suite a particular narrative for their own ends.
Three other witnesses, Zandile, Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Twala, were also criticized by the defence council as well as members on social media of dramatising events of what happened on the day Senzo was killed.
The public has also openly lashed out at all three of these witnesses of not only contradicting themselves in their testimony in court but of also being disrespectful to the defence council.
This was evident in their respective responses to questions put to them by advocates for the five accused in court.
Defence advocate Zandile Mshololo and advocate Thabane were on the receiving end of disrespect. The witnesses were warned by the judge Maumela, instructing them to answer questions posed to them by the defence advocates during their testimony.
Mshololo and Thabane seemed to be openly targeted for ridicule by all three winesses during the proceedings.
There is hope the trial may take a more sober process if the witnesses choose to abide in the protocol of the court process.
So hope all of us for the sake of justice.
