A letter supposedly written by Longwe Twala to the mother of slain footballer Senzo Meyiwa has raised fresh questions about one of South Africa’s most contested murder cases. The letter calls for the involvement of the Madlanga Commission and KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The letter has been widely shared online and is attributed to Twala, the son of musician Sello Chicco Twala. It urges the Meyiwa family to seek intervention from retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and Mkhwanazi, who the author describes as ethical and among the few capable of uncovering the truth.
The Witness has seen the letter but could not independently verify its authenticity. Meyiwa’s sister, Zama, confirmed having seen it on social media but said it was not sent directly to the family. She said she could not comment on its contents but added that her mother has not found peace and the entire family still longs for closure. She said her mother remains traumatised by her son’s death and the lack of answers over the years.
The letter appeals directly to Meyiwa’s mother, acknowledging her loss and the years without resolution. It states that the truth remains out of reach not because it does not exist but because it is being withheld.
The writer calls on the family to demand access to an alleged audio confession made before a magistrate in 2020. The recording was ruled inadmissible in 2023 because it was recorded without suspect Bongani Ntanzi’s consent. The letter questions why those claiming to fight for justice celebrated when the court ruled that the audio would not be admitted.
The letter also urges the family to demand that ethical officers and independent legal minds like Mkhwanazi and Madlanga examine all ballistic evidence alongside Ntanzi’s confession. It also refers to the widely reported allegation that a firearm used in the killing of an Alexandra taxi boss is linked to the Meyiwa case, a claim the suspects’ defence attorneys have denied.
Sinqobile Maphisa, the sister of one of the accused, Mthokozisi Maphisa, said she does not believe Longwe Twala authored the letter. She said she believes other people are behind it and described it as defensive.
Meyiwa was shot dead at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus on October 26, 2014. Despite multiple arrests, shifting testimony and a protracted legal process, the central question of who killed him remains unanswered.
The murder shocked the country and prompted widespread calls for justice. In 2020, five men were charged with the murder. The trial began in 2022 but has been marked by delays, dramatic claims and allegations of police misconduct.
A spokesperson for the Madlanga Commission said the commission could not comment on the letter and does not publicly disclose or comment on confidential communication with members of the public.
Attempts to get comment from Longwe Twala or his father were unsuccessful. Meyiwa’s brother Sifiso said he was unavailable to speak and did not respond to subsequent calls.