Meyiwa murder trial: Ballistics expert Mangena returns to court for cross-examination

JOHANNESBURG - A year since he last took the witness stand in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, ballistics expert Chris Mangena will return to the Pretoria High Court on Monday, where his evidence will be challenged. 

Mangena's testimony was halted in August last year to allow the defence time to consult with their ballistics expert. 

This was after Mangena linked the gun found at the home of one of the accused in 2015 to the bullet found on the scene of Meyiwa's murder. 

Meyiwa was shot at the home of his girlfriend and singer, Kelly Khumalo, in October 2014, in what the State believes was a hit ordered by her.

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Last week, Mthobisi Mncube’s lawyer, advocate Charles Mnisi, said the defence was ready after Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng ordered Mangena to be called back for cross-examination. 

"I have bent backwards for the defence. You will never find a judge in South Africa who did what I did, never!," said Mokgoatlheng.

Mangena's cross-examination has been pushed back multiple times as the defence struggled to find a ballistics expert and then battled to consult.

During his time on the stand last year, he testified that through markings made by the barrel of a gun on a bullet, he was certain that the gun found by police at the home of Mncube in 2015 was the one that fired the bullet that murdered Meyiwa.