The defence team representing the five men in the dock for killing South African footballer Senzo Meyiwa have accused the officer that collected evidence from one of them of being inexperienced and making numerous blunders that comprised the quality of what he gathered.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are standing trial for the murder of the Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana footballer.
The defence criticised Ltd-Col Nkosikhona Hadebe for his lack of experience and failure to follow procedures when he collected evidence from one of the accused, Sibiya, in 2020.
According to Adv Thulani Mngomezulu, representing Sibiya, Hadebe failed to record the time that he and the accused moved from the Alberton Police Station to Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus where Meyiwa was shot in 2014.
“The first mistake was that you failed to explain the rights of the accused when you were conducting the pro forma interview. I want to remind you that we are here because of a life of a person who has been deprived his right to freedom.
“Then you also failed to record the time of departure from the station. You did not have the necessary skills, experience and proficiency to conduct a pointing out. You have made lot of mistakes,” he said.
Adv Charles Mnisi said the manner in which Hadebe had gathered evidence showed that he was an inexperienced hand and thus was not well versed with what he was doing.
“I put it to you that it looks to me that you were at the fledgling stages of your experience in regards to taking pointing out or confessions.
“I am going to sum it up and say the manner in which or the process you employed when interviewing the accused is indicative of the level of experience that you had at that time,” he said.
The trial continues.
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