[WATCH] KGOMOTSO MODISE EXPLAINS: Senzo Meyiwa case in 10 points

EXPLAINER | Unpacking the Senzo Meyiwa trial

After two years of evidence, the State has finally closed its case in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. That means the ball is now in the defence’s court to respond to the allegations and testimony that have unfolded in the Pretoria High Court.

To make sense of where things stand, here are 10 big takeaways from the State’s case so far:

1. Witnesses inside the house

Three key witnesses - Zandi Khumalo, Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala - all testified about what they saw the night Senzo Meyiwa was killed at Kelly Khumalo’s home.

Each confirmed there were intruders.

They also confirmed they heard gunshots, though their versions differed: some say one shot, others recall three.

2. The Gun

The alleged murder weapon sits at the centre of the case. Police say they recovered it from accused Mthobisi Mncube while investigating him for another crime.

Forensic experts linked that gun to the bullet found at the murder scene.

3. Cellphone Data

The State led cellphone records placing Mncube in Vosloorus on the day Meyiwa was killed.

The catch? The data suggests he may have been there earlier in the day, not that evening.

The defence insists he was actually in George Koch near Johannesburg CBD at the time of the shooting.

4. The Confessions

Two confession statements are before the court - from Muzi Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi. They’ve been admitted provisionally, meaning they form part of the record for now.

In Ntanzi’s statement, he puts himself at the crime scene, saying he was one of the intruders.

5. The Star Witness

State witness Constable Sizwe Zungu gave lengthy testimony, telling the court he saw all five accused at the Basotho hostel in Vosloorus the day Meyiwa was killed.

He says he watched them leave, then rush back later - and he believes that was after the murder.

6. Records don’t lie

Sibiya told the court he hadn’t been in Johannesburg since early 2014. But the State brought documents showing otherwise:

A learner’s licence application in Boksburg.

Transactions at Carlton Centre.

A replacement bank card request in Johannesburg.

7. Eyewitness outside the house

Another important witness, Nthabiseng Mokete, testified that she saw men running from Kelly Khumalo’s house after the gunshot.

One of them had dreadlocks, matching other accounts that the shooter had dreadlocks.

8. The Alibi question

Accused Bongani Ntanzi initially claimed he was at work as a miner on the weekend of the murder.

But HR records from Sibanye Stillwater showed he wasn’t at work at all.

9. The O-Shaped beard

An affidavit from the late witness Thabang Makeleni described an intruder with an O-shaped beard.

The State presented old photos of Ntanzi sporting that exact beard style.

10. The DNA Puzzle

DNA evidence in this case has been controversial. It doesn’t conclusively place the accused at the crime scene.

But the State argues it can still be interpreted to show they were there.

What’s Next?

The defence has now lodged a Section 174 discharge application - basically arguing that the State’s evidence is too weak for any reasonable court to convict.

If the judge agrees, this could bring the trial to an end.

If not, the defence will have to line up its own witnesses and evidence.

And so, after two years of hearings, arguments and forensic reports, the real question is: has the State done enough?