The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial took a heated turn on Wednesday as Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng clashed with defence advocate Zandile Mshololo.
The exchange occurred during the cross-examination of accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, in a trial-within-a-trial to determine the admissibility of Sibiya’s confession statement.
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Mshololo objected to the line of questioning by State advocate Ronnie Sibanda, expressing her concern about interrogating Sibiya on a warning statement he was not aware of. This objection led to a confrontation between Mokgoatlheng and Mshololo.
In a firm tone, Mokgoatlheng defended his integrity and experience in the legal field. He emphasized his 20 years on the bench and 30 years as an attorney, stating that he had never been accused of dishonesty or being a crook. Mokgoatlheng also mentioned being trained by renowned legal professionals, including the late human rights lawyer George Bizos.
Mshololo, asserting her own qualifications as an advocate, attempted to explain her objection based on fairness. However, Mokgoatlheng cut her off, visibly upset by her response.
The trial centres around Sibiya’s claim that he was coerced into signing a confession statement implicating him in the 2014 murder of Senzo Meyiwa, the former captain and goalkeeper of the South African national football team. The State has been challenging Sibiya’s testimony, highlighting inconsistencies between his statements and those made by his legal representative, advocate Thulani Mngomezulu.
As the trial continues, tensions remain high, underscoring the gravity of the case and the importance of upholding fairness and integrity in the pursuit of justice.
