Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: Decision to remove cushion pads on accused's leg shackles causes delay
One of the accused, Mthobisi Mncube, was delayed after refusing to be brought to court without the cushions on his legs, saying he was in pain.
FILE: The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continued in the Pretoria High Court. Picture: Nokukhanya Mntambo/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - There has been yet another delay in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. This time it's linked to cushion pads on leg irons worn by the accused.
One of the accused, Mthobisi Mncube, was delayed after refusing to be brought to court without the cushions on his legs, saying he was in pain.
The trial was meant to resume on Monday with the State’s case.
When proceedings started on Monday morning, Mncube was the only accused who was not in the dock.
When he was later brought in, Department of Correctional Services officials told the court that he had to be carried.
When addressing the court, Advocate George Baloyi said he was informed that the decision was made by a Correctional Services area commisioner after an escape at the Baviaanspoort Prison.
"A decision was then taken that prisoners will no longer be allowed to put the pads around their ankles because apparently what happened is that the prison removed the pad and then subsequently removed the leg irons."
The defence has challenged this decision by Correctional Services, saying it infringed on human rights.
It's unclear how the court will move forward on this matter and if the defence will escalate the plight of the accused.