The cross-examination of Mthokozisi Thwala, state fourth witness in Senzo Meyiwa murder trial is ongoing at the high court in Pretoria. Thwala was present in award-winning musician Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vooslorus with six others.
The six others included Kelly’s sister Zandi, their mother Ntombi, Zandi’s then boyfriend Longwe Twala and Senzo’s friends Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi.
Zandile Mshololo, a lawyer for defendant number 4, appears to have managed to poke several holes in the testimony of Mthokozisi, as he is struggling to recall certain details about the incident night.
He had initially testified that two intruders suddenly entered the Khumalos home in the kitchen. One of them, who had dreadlocks, had demanded cellphones and money in isiZulu and seSotho.
In 2019, Senzo’s brother Mlungisi Edward Hlophe filed an affividit stating that he was informed on the night of the shooting that the goalkeeper was trying to break up a lovers spat.
In Hlophe’s statement, he said he called Tumelo at night because he wanted to know the truth about what happened [on the night Senzo was shot dead].
Tumelo is alleged to have told him over the phone that Zandi and her then boyfriend Longwe were arguing and that Senzo was trying to intervene. However, Mthokozisi disputed these claims, saying there was no controversy.
On Friday during the cross-examination, by the defence lawyer, the witness on stand denied these claims, that the soccer was shot while he was trying to break up a lovers spat.
Mthokozisi said Hlophe only made his statement in 2019, five years after his was shot.