Meyiwa murder trial: State wants to lead evidence challenging notion that Longwe Twala was the gunman

JOHANNESBURG - The State in the Senzo Meyiwa trial has brought an application to lead evidence challenging the notion that Longwe Twala was the gunman on the night the football was star was murdered, and he even shot himself in the foot.

On Wednesday, the State called a witness to testify on the GPS data from Twala’s car.

Twala was among the seven people present when Meyiwa was shot at the home of his girlfriend singer Kelly Khumalo 10 years ago.

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Last month, the lawyer for the first accused, Thulani Mngomezulu, said he would call a witness to testify that Twala shot himself in the foot after he shot Meyiwa mistakenly.

He said Twala visited two doctors because he had a bullet stuck in his ankle and the wound had become septic.

The State’s Advocate George Baloyi has argued that it is in the interest of justice, the GPS evidence from his car be allowed.

"These allegations are so serious as they go to heart of what is at issue in this case, and they ought to be investigated. And if AVL (auto vehicle location) records can assist the court in the determination of issues, then it is in the interest of justice that this evidence be allowed."

But Mngomezulu has objected to this, saying if Twala will not be called to testify then such evidence would be deemed as hearsay.

Baloyi disagrees: “We draw parallel with cellphone records my lord- or bank records – one can surely not argue that cellphone records or bank records are hearsay evidence if there is a witness who comes and gives testimony on those records.”