Senzo Meyiwa trial postponed after witness no-show

The postponement comes after the state’s new witness was a no-show at Monday’s court proceedings.

State prosecutor George Baloyi cited travel arrangements as the reasons why the new witness failed to appear in court. 

Baloyi gave an assurance that the new witness would be available on Tuesday. 

“We have tried our level best to avoid this situation,  but as I indicate this is due to a situation that is beyond the state but tomorrow morning the witness will be here, and we will be able to proceed. We made an alternative arrangement for a witness to be here today, and that witness will be able to testify today and finish. But I also received a message that the witness has asked that his evidence be rescheduled.” 

But Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela was not impressed with the application for a postponement. 

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He said the state should’ve made alternative arrangements to ensure that the witness was available for Monday’s proceedings. 

“The fact that no flight was available simply says that flight arrangements should’ve been made earlier, because they wouldn’t have been unavailable forever in the past. They would’ve been available and taken up as time drew closer. I understand the problem that the witness could’ve arrived in Gauteng and stayed over time without being called.”

Proceedings will resume in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday, when the state will call its third witness.