Meyiwa trial: Court hears no visible injuries on accused’s body
The state in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has presented evidence to bolster its argument that accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, had no visible injuries on his body at the time of his arrest.
According to pictures presented by police officer Nkosikhona Radebe in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday, Sibiya had no visible injuries on his body on the day that he deposed a statement in regards to the “pointing out” of the Meyiwa murder scene.
Radebe told the court that he interviewed Sibiya at the Boksburg Magistrates Court on 6 June 2020.
“I requested that a member (Sgt Maphakela) of the NCRC in Alberton take pictures of the accused. He (Sibiya) was calm.”
Radebe also told the court that he asked Sibiya if he was coerced into pointing out the crime scene.
“Were you in any way threatened or assaulted in any way to point out scenes or points?…. Do you have any bruises or injuries of any nature? Can you show them to me? If so, please show them to me.”
Sibiya allegedly responded to Radebe’s questions by saying “no”.
Radebe’s evidence supports that of former cop Moses Mbotho, who testified in court earlier this month.
Mbotho was tasked with taking down Sibiya’s alleged confession on the details of Meyiwa’s murder.
He denied that Sibiya was assaulted by police, saying Sibiya had not brought it to his attention at the time he drafted his statement.
But Sibiya’s defence has disputed the evidence put forward by the state.
Advocate Mduduzi Mngomezulu, who represents Sibiya and accused two Bongani Ntanzi, argued that Sibiya was slapped and tortured with a clear plastic bag covering his face.
Sibiya was initially arrested in Tembisa at the end of May for the illegal possession of drugs, and would later be linked to Meyiwa’s murder.
ALSO READ:
