Interpreter no-show sees Meyiwa trial postponed
The trial against five men accused of gunning down football star Senzo Meyiwa in 2014 has been postponed.
The trial was postponed to Wednesday after the Zulu language interpreter failed to pitch up at the High Court in Pretoria.
State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi said the interpreter cited reasons “beyond his control” for his absence.
“Unfortunately today we are without the services of a language practitioner. Our regular interpreter is not available, he called this morning to say that due to circumstances beyond his control, he will not be able to come through to work,” Baloyi told the court.
The State will make alternative arrangements for Wednesday’s proceedings.
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“An alternative interpreter was arranged but unfortunately my lord he is in Palm Ridge court, which is 83km from this court,” Baloyi said.
“In consultation with everyone involved in the matter we felt that we should rather stand the matter down until tomorrow and hopefully we will have the services of two interpreters from tomorrow onwards so that the problem that arose today doesn’t arise, my lord.”
The postponement comes as the defence counsel for accused number 3, Advocate Charles Mnisi, was set to begin with his cross-examination of Meyiwa's friend Mthokozisi Thwala.
Thwala was present at the Vosloorus house on the day Meyiwa was killed in 2014.
