Meyiwa murder trial: Lawyers ask for assurance that decision for accused to wear cushioned leg shackles is permanent
More delays were experienced in the matter on Monday after the third accused, Mthobisi Mncube, refused to come to court without the cushions in his ankles, saying the iron causes him pain.
Senzo Meyiwa trial. Picture: Kgomotso Modise/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The lawyers in the Senzo Meyiwa trial have asked the Pretoria High Court to ensure the decision for leg irons worn by the accused to be cushioned is permanent.
More delays were experienced in the matter on Monday after the third accused, Mthobisi Mncube, refused to come to court without the cushions on his ankles, saying the iron caused him pain.
He was eventually brought to court, and after the defence challenged the decision by the Department of Correctional Services to remove the cushions, the accused were all allowed to wear them, with the State saying it was for the sake of progress.
But Mncube’s lawyer, Charles Mnisi, said this decision was not good enough.
"We are expecting the Department of Correctional Services to come and say we acknowledge that what we have done was inhumane, irrational and unlawful, it was unconstitutional and it's everything that is not wise or uncivilised. We have therefore come to the conclusion that we are removing the directive that has been placed."