By Rorisang Modiba
In the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, the first accused, wants to reopen his case regarding the confession he made.
In October 2014, soccer star Meyiwa was shot dead at the home of his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother in Vosloorus during a confrontation with home invaders.
The Pretoria High Court was set for closing arguments on Monday when Sibiya’s lawyer, Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, announced that despite his work, the Legal Aid Board would not pay him.
“After discussion and consultation with the accused person, it has been made clear to accused No 1 that the Legal Aid Board has made a final decision that I will not be paid for the work I have done since I started the trial within a trial.
“Over the weekend I was called by his uncle, who indicated they still require my services. They would rather terminate the services of the Legal Aid Board and instruct me privately,” he said, reports TimesLIVE.
Mngomezulu said that Sibiya told him to reopen his case in the trial within a trial as he wants to call three more witnesses.
The witnesses are General Vincent Leshabane, General Shadrack Sibiya and Warrant-officer Meshack Makhubo.
Advocate George Baloyi, the state prosecutor, said it is not clear how they would help.
“Naturally, this is a very unsatisfactory state of affairs. We have progressed to a stage where heads [of argument] have been filed and the matter must be argued today. Now we hear the defence wants to reopen the case,” Baloyi said.
The case has been postponed to Wednesday to allow Mngomezulu time for discussions and to get his arguments ready.
Pictured above: The five accused of murdering Senzo Meyiwa.
Image source: File
