Meyiwa murder trial: Ballistics expert Mangena's testimony at centre of proceedings
Last year, Mangena drew links between the gun that was found at the home of the third accused Mthobisi Mncube and the bullet found on the scene of the footballer’s murder.
The witness stand at the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial taken on on 15 May 2023. Picture: Kgomotso Modise/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - After waiting for a year for his testimony to be probed and tested, seasoned ballistics expert, Chris Mangena’s cross-examination in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial began in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday.
There have been multiple hurdles causing delays in Mangena’s testimony, with the defence taking a year to consult with their own expert to challenge the colonel’s version.
Last year, Mangena drew links between the gun that was found at the home of the third accused Mthobisi Mncube and the bullet found on the scene of the footballer’s murder.
Mangena’s testimony is now at the centre of proceedings in court from when he arrived on the scene of Meyiwa’s murder, the day after the crime, to the interactions he had with some of the accused when they were persons of interest.
Lawyer for the first accused, Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu wasted no time putting the prospect of a contaminated crime scene to Mangena.
Mngomezulu: “During the processing of the crime scene, did you see any blood on the floor?
Mangena: “I did find blood on the scene, it was in the sitting room or living room…There was no blood in the kitchen.”
It has almost been testified by previous witnesses that those who were at the home of Kelly Khumalo on the day of the crime were drinking alcohol but the empty cans photographed by police were far fewer than the alcohol consumed.
When asked about this, Mangena testified that he did not take note of any cans when he was reconstructing the scene as those do not form part of ballistic evidence.