Meyiwa trial: State ballistic expert says findings linking an accused through firearm was peer-reviewed

JOHANNESBURG - The State’s ballistic expert in the Senzo Meyiwa trial said his findings that linked one of the accused through his firearm were peer-reviewed and found to be sound.

Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Mangena is back on the witness stand for cross-examination.

His evidence, which linked Mthobisi Mncube's gun to the bullet found on the scene of Meyiwa's murder, is being challenged.

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Mncube and four others are standing trial for the footballer’s 2014 murder.

In order to prove that it wasn’t necessarily Mncube’s gun that fired the shot that killed Meyiwa, the defence’s expert used another gun and compared the markings on that bullet and the bullet found on the scene of Meyiwa's murder, claiming there was a match.

Mangena has disputed these findings, saying the markings he had highlighted as a match did not follow through on the bullet continuously.

He said his test, on the other hand, was more reliable because they were peer-reviewed.

"When I do a microscopic comparison, I will look into if it is a positive match, [and] I will get another analyst to come and confirm my findings."

Mangena’s testimony continues on Thursday morning.