Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: Defence set to call its first witness

The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa trial is set to call its first witness in the Pretoria High Court on Monday, as the accused begin to answer the State's case against them.

In September, the matter was postponed after the defence told the court that they needed more time to consult with witnesses.

It's been almost three months since the State closed its case after two years of leading witnesses against the five accused.

The men are charged with Meyiwa's 2014 murder at the home of his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo.

When the trial was postponed in September, the lawyer for two of the accused, Advocate Charles Mnisi, promised that he would be ready to call his first witness on Monday morning and to continue with the trial. 

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng offered to make an order to force the defence witnesses to make themselves available for consultation, which the defence welcomed.

Mnisi is expected to call the first witnesses on behalf of Muzi Sibiya, whom the State believes was one of the lookout men on the day that Meyiwa was killed.

The court has also admitted a confession statement signed by Sibiya, which he has since denied.