The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the retired former provisional head of SAPS Brigadier Philani Ndlovu, who died earlier this week is no regarded as a crucial witness in the Senzo Meyiwa murder Trial.
Ndlovu was one the first senior police officers to arrive at the crime scene back in 2014.
The NPA says several other witnesses will give relevant evidence on the merits of the case, and it is confident that it has sufficient evidence to ensure a successful prosecution in the case.
Meanwhile, Law expert Dr. Llewellyn Curlewis has described the unexpected death of a state witness in the murder trial of soccer star, Senzo Meyiwa, as a huge blow to the case that’s been dragging on for years.
Police have confirmed the death of Brigadier Philani Ndlovu. He was one of the first police officials to arrive at the scene of the fatal incident.
Meyiwa was shot at the home of the mother of his then girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg in 2014.
The death comes just days after defence advocate, Malesela Teffo approached the court to have the trial brought forward, claiming that the lives of the witnesses were in danger.
Five men are standing trial for Meyiwa’s death.
Curlewis elaborates says, “every witness in a prosecution is very important, especially if the state must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The absence of this witness as a result of him passing on might have a huge impact on the states case. Obviously, it will all depend on the contents of his evidence and to what extent his evidence is in dispute.”
Ndlovu was expected to testify
Ndlovu, a retired policeman, was mentioned during the testimony of the first state witness, Sgt Thabo Mosia.
He was part of the first forensic team to collect evidence from the Vosloorus home where the shooting occurred. During cross-examination Mosia told the court that he was briefed by Brigadier Ndlovu when he had arrived at the scene hours after the shooting.
Defence advocate, Teffo poked holes in Mosia’s testimony alleging that Brigadier Ndlovu had tampered with the crime scene ahead of Mosia’s arrival.
Ndlovu was expected to be called as a state witness to assist the court in establishing what exactly transpired on that fateful October evening.
The trial is expected to resume at the end of the month with Mosia being cross-examined by the defence for the fifth accused.
SABC NEWS
DO YOU HAVE A NEWS STORY OR AN OPINION FOR CENTRAL NEWS: E-mail us : newsroom@centralnews.co.za or Whatsapp us on 083 398 9119