The first crime scene investigator to arrive at the Vosloorus house where footballer Senzo Meyiwa was murdered has revealed what he saw in the early hours of the investigation.
During cross-examination on Thursday, Sgt Thabo Mosia, a police officer whose duties included collecting evidence and taking photos, among other things, stated that he only managed to take eight photos, whereas his colleague Col Thobeka Mhlahlo, who arrived the next day, took approximately 130 photos.
“I had a challenge. My camera was not taking good quality pictures,” Mosia said.
On Wednesday, he testified that he arrived to the house about 12.20 a.m. on October 27, 2014 and was given a report on what happened as well as essential points to photograph.
Mosia, who gave his opening statement in English on Wednesday, switched to Sotho during cross-examination.
Sipho Ramosepele, the defence counsel, asked Mosia what he saw when he arrived at the scene.
“I observed a walking stick and a bullet hole on the tile floor and next to it there was a damaged bullet [a fragmented bullet] as well as a hat. And a bullet hole at the back of the kitchen door and blood that was on the floor between the couch and the TV stand.”
He didn’t investigate the crutch since it belonged to one of the victims, Tumelo Madlala, Meyiwa’s childhood friend.
The crutch was used to assault one of the attackers, according to witnesses in the house.
Mosia stated that he did not find the bullet that was later discovered during investigations on top of the kitchen counter behind glass jars by Mhlahlo, who also used her eyes and no additional equipment.
When asked where exactly he had examined, Mosia said in the kitchen and sitting room.
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“I was investigating in search of the cartridge case or a bullet that can be retrieved from the scene.”
Mosia said in the kitchen he “looked on the floor where I noticed a bullet hole. I checked the door and saw the bullet didn’t exit and I thought perhaps it had fallen between the layers of the door but I did not find the bullet”.
He called the task team to ensure that the crime scene was properly processed and examined, since they are capable of providing the necessary instruments.
He also did not notice any blood traces near the kitchen door.
The trial is still ongoing.
