Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: State rests its case, defence to bring section 174 discharge application

JOHANNESBURG - While the State in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has rested its case, the defence will now be bringing a section 174 discharge application.

The State wrapped up its case on Thursday, exactly two years since the trial started from scratch before a new judge.

Retired Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng took over from retired Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, who fell ill in 2023.

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Five men accused of the footballer's murder will now have to make their case.

After two years of State witnesses entering and leaving the witness box, all eyes have turned on the defence for its next move.

On Thursday afternoon, the lawyer for two of the five accused, Advocate Charles Mnisi, told the court of their intention to bring a section 174 discharge application.

This is brought when the defence believes that there is no real evidence against the accused for conviction, and thus no case to answer to.

Mnisi on Thursday told the court that the defence would be approaching Legal Aid, which is financing the accused’s case, to make a call on whether it would also finance the discharge application.

The matter will return to court in two weeks time, where Legal Aid's decision will be ventilated.