Meyiwa murder trial: Bongani Ntanzi claims police torture during alleged confession

JOHANNESBURG - The second man accused of Senzo Meyiwa’s murder has painted a vivid picture of his alleged torture by police to get him to confess to the footballer's murder.

Bongani Ntanzi took the witness stand on Thursday, to testify against the admission of both his signed statements.

Ntanzi signed his first incriminating confession before a police officer after his arrest in June 2020. He then signed another before a magistrate and his lawyer days later.

READ: One of the accused tells court he was forced to sign a confession

Ntanzi told the Pretoria High Court that he was first beaten by a police officer who came to arrest him on 16 June 2020, while he was with his girlfriend at his home in Phokeng.

“When I asked them, that you are calling me by the wrong name and you have taken my phone – then one of them said don’t ask me “crap” and he slapped me."

He said the next time he was tortured was in Alberton, where police put a plastic back over his head suffocating him.

“It was very painful when this happened. Even now as I am talking about it, my heart is very painful.”

Ntanzi said he ended up bleeding from the object that was used to torture him.