The state in the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder case has confirmed that singer Kelly Khumalo will not be called as a witness, although she remains a person of interest in the investigation.
Meyiwa, the former Bafana Bafana captain, was shot and killed in 2014 while visiting Khumalo’s parental home in Vosloorus on Gauteng’s East Rand. Five men are currently on trial for his murder at the High Court in Pretoria.
The matter arose during cross-examination of lead investigating officer Bongani Gininda by defense counsel Zithulele Nxumalo, who questioned whether Khumalo would take the stand.
State prosecutor George Baloyi clarified the state’s position: “It’s the state’s discretion which witnesses to call. At the end of the state’s case, all witnesses who have not been called will be made available to the defense.”
Baloyi firmly stated that the decision not to call Khumalo was already on record, a point reiterated by the presiding judge.
Nxumalo pressed the issue, noting that Brigadier Gininda had been identified as the state’s last witness. However, Baloyi affirmed, “We are not going to call Ms. Kelly Khumalo.”
The decision has drawn significant public attention, given Khumalo’s proximity to the events surrounding Meyiwa’s death. The state’s handling of witnesses remains a focal point as the trial proceeds.