Meyiwa trial set to hear from defence lawyer's readiness
The matter was put on ice two weeks ago on account of one of the lawyers of the accused needing more time to prepare.
The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumed in the Pretoria High Court on 22 January 2024. Picture: Kgomotso Modise/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Senzo Meyiwa trial is expected to return to the Pretoria High Court on Monday after the high-profile case stalled again last month.
The matter was put on ice two weeks ago on account of one of the lawyers of the accused needing more time to prepare.
Advocate Charles Mnisi petitioned the court, asking for additional time to get up to speed after he was roped in to represent accused number one, Muzi Sibiya.
Mnisi was already the defence lawyer for accused number three, Mthobisi Mncube, when he took on co-accused Sibiya.
Sibiya was left without legal counsel after his lawyer, Thulani Mngomezulu, succumbed to illness in December.
READ: Meyiwa trial: Defence lawyer assures court he’ll be ready to proceed when matter reconvenes
While advocate Mnisi was already familiar with the case, he hadn’t consulted with Sibiya or given him legal advice.
Mnisi was initially granted two months to prepare for the cross-examination of the investigating officer on behalf of his new client.
After that, the court reluctantly granted him another extension.
He's now expected to report on his progress in reading over 40,000 pages of evidence.
Five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa, who was shot at the home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo.