Senzo Meyiwa trial: Court rules confessions made freely, voluntarily
The High Court in Pretoria has ruled the confession statements made by two of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial were made freely and voluntarily.
Five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of the soccer player who was shot at the home of his then-lover, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg.
During the trial-within-a-trial, which began in October last year, accused one and two Bongani Ntanzi and Muzi Sibiya, contended that they were tortured and coerced into making the confessions.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng delivered his ruling on Thursday morning.
“The confession made by accused number one was made freely and voluntarily without any coercion when accused number one was in his firm, sound, and sober senses.
“The confession made by accused number two, in respect of the said confession being taken by Mrs Cronje, the magistrate, the court rules that it was made freely and voluntarily without any coercion when accused number two was in his firm and sober senses.
“Also, the confession made before Colonel Raphudi was also made by accused number two freely and voluntarily without any coercion when the accused was in his sound and sober senses.”
The judge continued with a ruling on the pointing out at the crime scene: “Also the pointing outs made by accused number two before Colonel Radebe was also made freely and voluntarily, without any coercion when the accused was in his full and sober senses.”
This means the confessions and pointing outs will be admitted as evidence in the main trial.
Earlier in the week, Mokgoatlheng clarified that the ruling was not final.
“Such ruling by its nature, as determined by convention and the law, is relative and final. Because at this juncture, this court is not seized with the rest of the material evidence, and this court can’t determine how that evidence is going to impact the evidence that will be led in the merits of the case.”
Meanwhile, speaking to eNCA outside court, the National Prosecuting Authority’s Lumka Mahanjana welcomed the ruling.
“We welcome this ruling as it supports the evidence we brought in court. The statements will now be brought before the court via the witnesses that took down the statements, and therefore, the matter will continue.”
Proceedings in the main trial resume on Friday.
ALSO READ:
