Senzo Meyiwa Trial: Kelly Khumalo Lawyer Magdalene Moonsamy Withdraws From New Proceedings As Watching Brief

Senzo Meyiwa Trial: Kelly Khumalo Lawyer Magdalene Moonsamy Withdraws From New Proceedings As Watching Brief

  • Kelly Khulamo's lawyer Magdalene Moonsamy has bowed out of the new Senzo Meyiwa trial proceedings
  • Moonsamy submitted a notice of withdrawal to the National Prosecuting Authority in May
  • Khumalo and Moonsamy had previously fought tooth and nail for the advocate to be present in proceedings as a watching brief

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PRETORIA - South African singer Kelly Khumalo no longer has a watching brief in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.

Magdalene Moonsamy will now longer represent Kelly Khumalo as a watching brief in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
Kelly Khumalo's lawyer Magdalene Moonsamy has withdrawn as a watching brief in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Image: Oupa Bopape
Source: Getty Images

Khumalo's lawyer Magdalene Moonsamy submitted a notice of withdraw wal to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). This comes as the prosecution of the five men accused of murdering the Bafana Bafana soccer sensation started anew.

According to SABC News, Moonsamy submitted the notice in May before it was decided that the trial would start de novo (from the beginning).

Kelly Khumalo and lawyer cause commotion with watching brief request

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Senzo Meyiwa: Zandile Khumalo says she froze and couldn’t call for help after shooting, SA side-eyes testimony

Moonsamy and Khumalo made waves in November 2022 after insisting that the lawyer be present for the trial proceedings as a watching brief.

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A watching brief is where an individual that is not necessarily part of the court proceedings instructs a lawyer to watch the proceeding to protect their rights and report back.

At the time, Advocate Malesela Teffo was defending one of the accused and objected to Moonsamy acting as a watching brief, arguing that it would offer Khumalo the opportunity to alter her testimony, IOL reported.

South Africans question why Moonsamy was a watching brief in the first place

Below are some comments:

@rudz_16 said:

"There was no need. She just needed attention."

@edmanestro commented:

"Now, because Judge Maumela is gone, they're all tatazeling. Maumela was captured."

Read also

Senzo Meyiwa trial: All 5 accused stick to their guns and plead not guilty as proceedings start from scratch

@MurielMakulana added:

"There was no need for a watching brief. Her client is a witness."

@Ledwaba_TD claimed:

"This is absolutely intriguing, especially considering that the issue of the withdrawal by the Legal Rep was never disclosed at all."

@sirboring_26 said:

"This Senzo trial is a circus, and he's death will remain unsolved. No one will be held accountable. Even Bheki's promises show his incompetence."

@_Chanteh remarked:

"After making so much noise, lol."

@MhlengiNombeko stated:

"Maybe the perceived danger is gone. No need for Kelly to keep spending money because she knows nobody gonna accuse her of anything now."

Senzo Meyiwa trial: All 5 accused stick to their guns and plead not guilty as proceedings start from scratch

In a similar story, Briefly News reported that the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial is back at the Pretoria High Court for a second attempt at prosecution, and the five accused have not changed their pleas.

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ATM leader calls on Bheki Cele and Ronald Lamola to protect ‘Sizokthola’ host as threats halt production

When faced with a litany of charges related to the decade-old murder of Bafana Bafana soccer sensation Senzo Meyiwa, the accused maintained their innocence in front of the new presiding Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.

The litany of charges was read out again on Tuesday, 18 July and included schedule six offences of murder and attempted murder, EWN reported.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Lerato Mutsila avatar

Lerato Mutsila (Current affairs editor) Lerato Mutsila is a journalist with 3 years of experience. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pearson Institute of Higher Education in 2020, majoring in broadcast journalism, political science and communication. Lerato joined the Briefly News current affairs desk in August 2022. Mutsila is also a fellow of the 2021/2022 Young African Journalists Acceleration programme, which trained African journalists in climate journalism. You can contact Lerato at lerato.mutsila@breifly.co.za