Meyiwa trial: State ordered to consult with wife of accused’s lawyer charged with her attempted murder

JOHANNESBURG - The State has been ordered to consult with the wife of a lawyer in the Senzo Meyiwa trial who has been charged with her attempted murder.

The lawyer for the first two accused, Thulani Mngomezulu, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder in relation to a domestic violence incident in 2022.

He is also accused of contravening a protection order that she had against him and resisting arrest.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Mngomezulu's wife tried to drop the charges that she laid against him, but the prosecutors still decided to forge ahead with the case.

“In the interest of justice and also to protect women and children, a decision was taken by the NPA to tread carefully when dealing with cases of gender-based violence,” said spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

She said Mngomezulu also tried to fight this decision, escalating it to the National Director of Public Prosecutions and eventually took the matter to court.

“He made an application to stay his prosecution. The outcome of that application was that a court order was made in December of 2023 for the State to consult with the complainant.”

If the State decides to proceed, Mngomezulu will appear in the Alexandra Magistrates Court in March as an accused.