Senzo Meyiwa trial: Defence granted request to ascertain whether accused had a gold tooth
Lawyers for Mthobisi Mncube, the alleged gunman, want him to be examined after the State led evidence showing what looks like a gold tooth in one of his old photos.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng presides over the re-start of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial on 17 July 2023. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News
PRETORIA - The Pretoria High Court has granted the defence in the Senzo Meyiwa trial the request to have one of the accused dentally examined to determine whether he ever had a gold tooth.
The court spent the day hearing arguments on an application by the defence.
Lawyers for Mthobisi Mncube, the alleged gunman, want him to be examined after the State led evidence showing what looks like a gold tooth in one of his old photos.
The State is using this evidence to match Mncube to the description given by witnesses.
The defence is arguing that Mncube’s right to a fair trial will be infringed upon if he is not allowed to have his teeth examined.
His lawyers further argued that they cannot continue with the cross-examination of the cellphone analyst who downloaded the pictures from Mncube’s phone, before they can ascertain from a surgeon if he ever had a gold tooth.
But the State challenged this, saying Mncube’s version on whether he ever had an incision should not hinge on whether he has a dental observation or not.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng was quick to hand down his order, saying he will give reasons at a later stage.
The court has granted Mncube his request for an examination, but it’s unclear whether the examination will be done by a State surgeon or a private dentist.