Meyiwa trial: Proceedings take early pause with claims of prejudice from defence

JOHANNESBURG - Proceedings in the Senzo Meyiwa trial took an early pause following claims of prejudice by the defence.

The State called a new witness on Tuesday, to testify on the data found on the phones confiscated from the accused, but his testimony could not continue.

The State is still leading its case against five men accused of the Bafana Bafana captain’s murder in October 2014.

Before Lieutenant Colonel Gideon Gouws could make progress in reading his affidavit, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng pointed out a mistake he made on who instructed him to conduct the cellphone analysis.

In his affidavit, Gouws says it was Colonel Lambertus Steyn, but he told the court on Tuesday that it was the investigating officer - Brigadier Bongani Gininda.

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The judge and the State were happy to have the amendment noted, but the defence had a different view with advocate Zandile Mshololo arguing on prejudice.

"Our clients are suffering prejudice as the amendments effected on the witness box. We have not been furnished with the supplementary affidavit and we do not know what is the information that will be supplemented."

Judge Mokgoatlheng resolved to postpone the matter to Wednesday, for the State to organise a supplementary affidavit from Gouws detailing any changes he wants to make in his affidavit.