Meyiwa trial: Court to hear from Legal Aid on consultation fees payment for ballistic expert
The defence on Monday failed to begin its cross-examination of the State's ballistic expert, who linked the gun found on one of the accused to Meyiwa’s murder, as promised.
The witness stand at the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial taken on on 15 May 2023. Picture: Kgomotso Modise/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Pretoria High Court will on Tuesday morning hear from Legal Aid South Africa on the payment of consultation fees for a ballistic expert in the Senzo Meyiwa trial.
On Monday, the defence failed to begin its cross-examination of the State's ballistic expert as promised.
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Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Mangena linked the gun found on one of the accused to the murder of the Bafana Bafana captain.
Five men are accused of the crime which took place in October 2014.
Visibly unimpressed, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng questioned the defence on its unreadiness to cross-examine Mangena, who testified eight months ago.
“Then you made an application to the Legal Aid board – it can’t take eight months.”
Advocate Charles Mnisi, who is the lawyer for Mthobisi Mncube, the alleged gunman, rose to explain, saying the delay wasn’t of their making.
"Initially, yes, we took up the matter with the accused. They said that there was a possibility that they could be in the position to raise the money."
Judge Mokgoatlheng wants to hear from Legal Aid on the request made by the defence and determine if they will foot the bill for a ballistic expert that will help in the defence's case.