Your Inaction Led To A Man’s Wrongful Arrest”
Constable Sizwe Zungu, a key state witness in the murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa, faced tough questioning about his failure to inform senior police officers about crucial information. Zungu took the stand in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday to continue with his evidence.
During the proceedings, Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo, representing accused four Mthokoziseni Maphisa, attempted to discredit Zungu’s testimony. Nxumalo questioned why Zungu didn’t come forward when he found out about an arrest made in connection with Meyiwa’s murder.
Mbatha, who was wrongfully arrested and later released, had gone through an identification parade at the Jeppe police station. He was pointed out by witnesses who were present when Meyiwa was shot and killed. Nxumalo expressed concern about Zungu’s inaction, stating that Zungu had information about the person who was involved but did nothing to solve the case.
Zungu defended himself by stating that he was not the investigating officer and did not want to interfere in something that did not concern him. He also emphasized that he was not present at the Khumalo household when Meyiwa was shot, so he did not have confirmation of who committed the crime.
Nxumalo further pressed Zungu on why he did not inform his senior police officer, General Vincent Leshabane, about his association with people who could be linked to Meyiwa’s murder at the hostel. Zungu believed that Leshabane would conduct his own investigation regardless and wanted to be informed of the outcome.
The lawyer also questioned why Zungu did not disclose any details about the hostel to investigating officer, Brigadier Bongani Gininda, when asked about the murder. Zungu clarified that he did not know what transpired at the Khumalo house, so he did not mention anything about the murder.
In his evidence-in-chief, Zungu admitted to partying with the five men at a hostel in Vosloorus on the day Meyiwa was killed. He stated that he received an invitation from his nephew who resided at the hostel.
