Judge Rules Alleged Confession of Accused 2 in Senzo Meyiwa Murder Trial Inadmissible
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng ruled that the audio recording of the alleged confession made by accused 2, Bongani Ntanzi, is inadmissible as evidence.
The judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has ruled that the alleged confession of accused 2 Bongani Ntanzi recorded by magistrate Vivienne Cronje is inadmissible as evidence.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng made the ruling on Friday, 20 October after hearing arguments from both the State and defence on Thursday.
The State previously indicated that it will not use the recording and has since made a U-turn as it wants the recording to be submitted as evidence in the trial-within-a-trial which looks into the admissibility of the confessions made by accused 1 Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi.
Defence lawyers insisted that Ntanzi’s rights were infringed and that he should have been informed that he was being recorded and that the audio will be used against him in court.
Delivering the judgement, Mokgoatlheng said taking into account that Ntanzi’s rights were infringed it would not be in the interest of justice for the audio recording to form part of the evidence.
Five men are on trial at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria for the murder of the soccer star, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli.
They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition.
All five men pleaded not guilty as the trial has started afresh under Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.
Conclusion:
The judge’s ruling is a significant setback for the prosecution, as it deprives them of a key piece of evidence.
It remains to be seen how the trial will proceed without the recording.
Related posts:
Defence objects to admissibility of recorded confession in Senzo Meyiwa murder trial The presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial is expected to make a ruling on the admissibility of a recording of accused number two...
Judge Denies Witness’s Request for Non-Broadcasting in Senzo Meyiwa Murder Trial …By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media. The presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, has dismissed an application from a State...
Magistrate’s Testimony: Senzo Meyiwa Murder Accused’s Confession Not Made Under Duress Magistrate Confirms Bongani Ntanzi’s Voluntary Confession In a significant development, Magistrate Vivian Cronje testified that Bongani Ntanzi, one of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa...
Defence Lawyers Oppose Witness’s Request for Broadcast Ban in Senzo Meyiwa Murder Trial …By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media. In the ongoing trial for the murder of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa, defence lawyers have objected to a request...
Zandie Khumalo Stands Firm for Justice in Senzo Meyiwa Murder Trial …By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media. In the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, Zandie Khumalo, a state witness, has decided not...
Pathologist Reveals Senzo Meyiwa Autopsy Details in Murder Trial Johan Steenekamp, the pathologist responsible for conducting an autopsy on former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa, delivered crucial testimony in the ongoing murder trial. The...
Legal Expert Discusses Possibility of Witness Recall in Senzo Meyiwa Case Amid Judge’s Absence …By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media. Legal expert Mpumelelo Zikalala suggests that if Presiding Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela is replaced in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial,...
Breaking: Advocate ARRESTED in the middle of Senzo Meyiwa trial The jaw-dropping scene, captured by the plethora of news cameras and film crews, captured the moment where Advocate Dan Teffo was surrounded by SAPS officers,...
Music Producer Chicco Twala: If My Son is Guilty of Senzo Meyiwa’s Murder, He Must Rot in Jail …By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media. Music producer Sello ‘Chicco’ Twala has expressed his strong belief that if his son, Longwe, is indeed guilty of...
WATCH LIVE: Case of Senzo Meyiwa’s murder In the trial of Senzo Meyiwa’s murder, the defense is anticipated to cross-examine Captain Bonginkosi Mtshali. Captain Mtshali provided his testimony at the Gauteng High...