In the ongoing trial regarding the murder of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, one of the five accused men, Bongani Ntanzi has claimed he was advised by his former lawyer to plead guilty to the murder.
This information came from the court transcripts that the defence team had requested.
The transcripts were specifically from Ntanzi’s court appearances on 27 October 2020, 27 November 2020, and 5 March 2021.
During the court session on 27 October 2020, Ntanzi was the only suspect among his co-accused who appeared with a lawyer.
State prosecutor George Baloyi handed over these transcripts to Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng and the defence counsel.
The defence, led by Advocate Charles Mnisi, focused on the transcripts from November and March, which they argued were relevant to the trial-within-a-trial.
Mnisi pointed out that on 27 November 2020, Ntanzi was prevented from directly addressing the court and was instructed to communicate through his legal representative.
The transcript from 5 March 2021 revealed that Ntanzi’s lawyer, Ntokozo Mjiyako, intended to withdraw from the case due to non-payment. Ntanzi informed the court that Mjiyako had advised him to plead guilty to Meyiwa’s murder.
This allegation was confirmed by Ntanzi himself in the March transcript, where he stated, “Mr Mjiyako wanted me to plead guilty to this murder.”
The defence had previously argued that Ntanzi had no legal representation when he allegedly made a confession before Magistrate Vivian Cronje on 24 June 2020.
They claimed he was tortured by law enforcement officers before making this confession.
Ntanzi, along with four others, stands trial for the murder of Senzo Meyiwa on 26 October 2014.
Meyiwa was fatally shot at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother’s house in Vosloorus. The accused have all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The trial continues.
Pictured above: Bongani Ntanzi.
Image source: File
