A metro police officer, Wendell Jonathan, has denied any involvement in the alleged assault of two accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Jonathan, who was called to the stand by the state in the High Court in Pretoria, refuted the claims made against him.
During the questioning by Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, who represents Muzi Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi, Jonathan confirmed that he was part of the team that escorted the accused during their alleged confessions. However, he vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged assault.
The allegations against Jonathan and his colleagues emerged during the trial when Sibiya and Ntanzi claimed that they were assaulted while being escorted by the police. This claim has been disputed by Jonathan and earlier witness Mohale Raphadu, another police officer involved in the case.
Raphadu, who took down one of Ntanzi’s confessions, testified in court and stated that there was no mention of any assault or coercion during the confession. He also mentioned that he did not see any marks on Ntanzi’s body when he took off his clothes.
The defense team for Sibiya and Ntanzi has been trying to establish that the alleged confessions were obtained through coercion and that the accused were subjected to physical abuse during their time in police custody.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Known Criminal Linked To Murder Of NIU Cop Shot Dead In Durban
The trial of Sibiya and Ntanzi, who are accused of the murder of South African soccer star Senzo Meyiwa in 2014, has been ongoing for several months. The case has attracted significant media attention and public interest, as Meyiwa was a well-known and beloved figure in the country.
The court will continue to hear testimonies and examine evidence to determine the validity of the alleged confessions and the claims of assault. The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for the accused, as well as for the reputation of the police force and the justice system as a whole.
