Meyiwa trial: Defence to argue against correctness of occurrence books related to detention of the accused
The defence closed its case in the trial within a trial on Friday, which has been sitting to determine the admissibility of confession statements signed by two of the accused.
Senzo Meyiwa trial. Picture: Kgomotso Modise/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa trial will argue against the correctness of occurrence books related to the detention of the accused at police stations.
The defence closed its case in the trial within a trial on Friday, which has been sitting to determine the admissibility of confession statements signed by Bongani Ntanzi and one other accused, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya.
Ntanzi, Sibiya, and three others are standing trial for Meyiwa’s murder almost a decade ago.
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The trial will take a two-week break to allow for both parties to prepare their arguments.
When State witnesses, Investigators Brigadier Bongani Gininda and Sergeant Batho Mogola, took the stand, they referred to occurrence books from the police stations where Sibiya and Ntanzi were held at.
At the time, none of the defence lawyers disputed their correctness or their authenticity.
But on Friday, after the defence closed its case, the lawyer for the third accused, Advocate Charles Mnisi, tried to argue that they do not accept the books as correct.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng stopped him in his tracks, asking him to produce a reference in law that speaks to his request.
After an exchange between Mnisi and the judge, it was agreed that lawyers for the first two accused, who argue on the correctness of the occurrence book, would address the matter when the trial reconvenes in March.