More than three years after Lindani Myeni, a former rugby player from KwaZulu-Natal, was tragically killed by police in Hawaii, the civil trial into his death has officially begun.
The case, which sparked international outrage in both South Africa and the US, is now back in the spotlight—and for good reason.
Lindani Myeni’s Life Cut Short
Back in April 2021, Myeni, just 29 years old at the time, was shot four times by police in Honolulu.
He was unarmed during the confrontation, which stemmed from a 911 call about a suspected burglary.
The officers claimed they were responding to the report, but the encounter quickly escalated, ending in gunfire.
Myeni, originally from Empangeni, had moved to Hawaii with his American wife, Lindsay, and their two children.
What was meant to be a peaceful new chapter ended in tragedy.
Widow Takes Legal Action
Now, Lindsay Myeni is suing the City and County of Honolulu, arguing that the shooting was not only unnecessary but racially motivated.
She alleges that the police failed to properly identify themselves before using deadly force against her husband.
Although there was massive public outcry at the time, prosecutors chose not to file criminal charges against the three officers involved, saying the shooting was legally justified.
A Settlement Rejected Amid Police Pushback
Before the trial kicked off, there was talk of a $1.4 million (about R26 million) settlement offer being put on the table.
But that plan hit a wall when members of the Honolulu City Council—under pressure from the local police force—refused to vote on the payout.
Officers reportedly voiced strong opposition to the idea of settling, which ultimately stalled any agreement.
Why This Case Matters Now
The Myeni case has reignited major conversations around racial profiling, police conduct, and the difficulty in holding law enforcement accountable, especially in cases involving people of color.
The fact that Myeni was a foreigner, unarmed, and a father of two makes the story even more gut-wrenching.
And while Hawaii might seem far removed from South Africa, this trial is being closely watched by both nations—each grappling in its own way with the global issue of police brutality.