Two out of the group of five individuals accused of the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, the captain of the Bafana Bafana football team, confessed to police that they were paid R100,000 to carry out the alleged assassination. This revelation emerged during proceedings at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, where the judge, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, determined that the confessions were given voluntarily after a thorough trial within a trial lasting five months to assess their admissibility. Despite claims of coercion, the court found the confessions valid.
Accused number two, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, stated in his confession that he received R45,000, while accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, admitted to being paid R30,000 for their involvement in the murder plot. Allegedly, the directive for the hit came from singer Kelly Khumalo, who shares a child with Meyiwa, at her Vosloorus residence, where Meyiwa was fatally shot.
Ntanzi recounted receiving a call from his friend, Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa, and joining him and accused number three, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, to plan the murder. Describing the event, Ntanzi detailed their entry into the house, where a struggle ensued between Meyiwa and Mncube before the fatal shot was fired.
Similarly, Sibiya received instructions from Mncube about the assassination, implicating Khumalo in the process. He mentioned consulting a traditional healer for assurance and receiving payment for his involvement.
All five defendants, including Sibiya, Ntanzi, Mncube, Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case has been adjourned until Monday for further proceedings.