Meyiwa murder trial: Defence a step closer to cross-examining ballistic expert Mangena

JOHANNESBURG - The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa trial seems to be a step closer towards cross-examining ballistic expert Chris Mangena, 10 months since he first linked the gun that killed the Bafana Bafana captain to one of the accused.

The defence requested an early adjournment on Tuesday to consult with their ballistic expert.

Five men are being tried for Meyiwa’s murder over a decade ago.

It was in August last year when Mangena gave damning evidence against the third accused – Mthobisi Mncube in the Meyiwa trial.

Mangena drew what’s arguably an undeniable link between the gun found in Mncube’s Cleveland home and the bullet fragment found on the scene of Meyiwa’s murder.

Since then, the defence asked for time to consult with its expert before cross-examining Mangena.

But it’s been 10 months now and Mangena’s evidence remains unchallenged.

On Tuesday morning, the State told the court that the defence had a consultation with an expert in the afternoon and had requested that the court proceed earlier.

The matter was postponed to Wednesday.