Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: Court loses day due to accused's refusal to wear leg shackles without cushioning

JOHANNESBURG - An entire court day has been lost in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial over the wearing of cushions on the leg irons by the accused.

The matter has been once again delayed in the Pretoria High Court, where the State was expected to continue with its case.

The five men accused of the football star’s 2014 murder returned to court, but two of them refused to continue with proceedings while in pain caused by the iron rubbing against their ankles.

The court heard from the Department of Correctional Services that the decision to remove cushions from the chains worn by inmates was made by prison bosses after an escape at the Baviaanspoort facility earlier in July.

READ: Meyiwa murder trial: Lawyers ask for assurance that decision for accused to wear cushioned leg shackles is permanent

"Mr Mncube says he is feeling pains which affect his ability to concentrate in this trial and I am also unable to get instructions from him because of this inhumanity that he is being subjected to."

This was the argument made by Advocate Charles Mnisi on behalf of the third accused, Mthobisi Mncube, who refused to come to court without cushioned leg irons.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng almost made an order for the defence to escalate the cries of the accused to the judicial inspectorate for the Department of Correctional Services, but the State then asked for two hours to consult with prison bosses to see if the wearing of cushions for the accused could be negotiated.

After the adjournment, the Department of Correctional Services agreed to allow the men to wear the cushions, but by then, the court day was nearing its end with over an hour to spare and that prompted this response from Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.

"Let's adjourn until tomorrow."

The matter continues in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday.