Senzo Meyiwa murder: Defence questions why police photographer went back to site of inspection in loco
On Tuesday, the State placed the events of the inspection, which was conducted earlier in July, on record.
Muzi Sibiya, an accused in the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, during an in loco inspection on 4 July 2025 of the place where he claimed police assaulted him after his arrested. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa trial has poked holes in the testimony given by a police photographer, who captured shots during an inspection in loco.
On Tuesday, the State placed the events of the inspection, which was conducted earlier in July, on record.
READ: Meyiwa trial resumes with hope of making progress after proceedings delay
On 4 July, the court was taken to Vosloorus on the East Rand for one of the five accused, Muzi Sibiya, to show the court where he was allegedly assaulted by police.
Sibiya claimed that police assaulted him to get him to confess to Meyiwa’s 2014 murder.
As a State witness, Sergeant Gezani Mhangani’s task was simply to confirm the pictures that he took during the inspection in loco and the album that he compiled.
But his cross-examination moved beyond this with Sibiya’s lawyer, Advocate Charles Mnisi, pointing out that some of the pictures presented to court had no people in them.
"Who then gave you instructions to go back on the 5th to put some cones and take photos which you then compiled in this photo album?" Mnisi asked.
Mhangani explained: "When I'm doing my job, I want to do it thoroughly. I knew for the court to understand how the place is."
He clarified that he took those pictures on the next day so the court could have a better view of the place without people walking around.
But Mnisi questioned Manganyi further.
It’s unclear whether the defence is challenging the truthfulness or the admissibility of Manganyi’s photo album. However, they have agreed to hand it up as an exhibit.