Sibiya wants document he filled in when charged with Meyiwa’s murder to prove charging date

JOHANNESBURG - An accused in the Senzo Meyiwa trial has asked to be shown a document that he filled in when he was charged for the football star’s murder to prove when he was charged.

Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya spent another day on the witness stand on Wednesday, testifying against the admission of a confession statement that he signed in May 2020.

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The State insists Sibiya signed freely and voluntarily, but he said he was severely assaulted and only signed to save his life.

Sibiya is one of five men being tried for the footballer's murder.

State Advocate Ronnie Sibanda and Sibiya could not agree on the exact date that he was charged, with Sibanda insisting he was charged on 26 October 2020, but he insisted he was charged on 26 July 2020.

Sibanda gave Sibiya his arresting statement and began cross-examining him on it, which the defence’s Advocate Zandile Mshololo objected to on the basis of fairness.

This resulted in a heated exchange between Mshololo and Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who had allowed Sibanda to continue with his cross-examination.

"I have practised as an attorney for 30 years - I have never been accused of being a crook or for being dishonest," said Judge Mokgoatlheng.

"I am also an advocate. I have a right to stand up and defend the accused," Mshololo hit back.

Judge Mokgoatlheng ordered Sibanda to find the document with Sibiya’s fingerprints, showing when he was charged.