Meyiwa trial: Defence set to prepare to cross-examine ballistic expert

JOHANNESBURG - The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa trial is set to prepare to cross-examine the ballistic expert who gave evidence linking the gun that killed the Bafana Bafana captain to one of the accused.

An investigator from the Road Traffic Management Corporation completed his testimony on Monday on the vehicle alleged to have been used during the footballer's murder.

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He also gave evidence on the whereabouts of the first accused, Muzi Sibiya, during certain periods in 2014.

Five men stand accused of Meyiwa's 2014 murder in Vosloorus in what police believe was a hit.

Now that the State has finished leading evidence on the confession statements by two of the accused, which were since read in court, the testimony of ballistic expert Lieutenant Colonel Chris Mangena must come to the fore.

In September, Mangena gave testimony linking the gun found at the home of Mthobisi Mncube, who is the third accused, to the scene of Meyiwa’s murder.

The defence asked for two weeks to consult with their expert on Mangena’s evidence.

That was six months ago, and the State is now ready for Mangena to return to the stands for cross-examination.

But on Monday, Sibiya’s new lawyer, Thulani Mngomezulu, told the court that he needed time to familiarise himself with 140 pages of Mangena’s evidence, which he was not present in court for.

The matter stood for this week and two weeks of recess and will return to court in April.