Key state witness in the murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa, has reportedly been shot dead.
Police have confirmed the death of the retired police official, Brigadier Philani Ndlovu who was the former provisional head of SAPS and one of the first to arrive at the crime scene of where Senzo was shot. It is alleged that he was shot in an execution style.
Meyiwa was shot in the chest during an alleged house robbery at the home of the mother of his then girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo.
Ndlovu’s death comes just days after defence advocate, Malesela Teffo approached the courts to have the trial brought forward, claiming witnesses were in danger as they were receiving death threats.
He was mentioned during the testimony of the first state witness, Sgt Thabo Mosia as part of the first forensic team to collect evidence from the Vosloorus home where the shooting occurred. During cross-examination Mosia told the court that he was briefed by Brigadier Ndlovu when he had arrived at the scene, hours after the shooting.
Defence advocate, Malesela Teffo poked holes in Mosia’s testimony alleging that Brigadier Ndlovu had tampered with the crime scene ahead of Mosia’s arrival.
One key question was why did Ndlovu arrive around 8pm but only called Sgt Mosia more than 3 hours later, what was he doing all that time?
Ndlovu was expected to be called as a state witness to assist the court in establishing what exactly transpired on that fateful October evening.
The trial is expected to resume at the end of the month with Mosia being cross-examined by the defence for the fifth accused.
Five men are currently standing trial for Meyiwa’s death.
