Senzo Meyiwa Trial: Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng Rules Confessions Were Not Coerced
- Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has ruled that two of the suspects who are accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa were not forced to confess
- The judge made the ruling that concluded the trial-within-a-trial to determine whether the two men's confessions were valid
- South Africans shared their views on the ruling, with some believing that it is one step closer to solving the decade-long case
With nine years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.
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JOHANNESBURG – Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng made a ruling which tossed out the possibility that two of the five suspects accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa were coerced into confessing.
Judge rules confessions are valid
According to IOL, Judge Mokgoatlheng ruled that the confessions made by Bongani Ntanzi and Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya were not forced. Sibiya and Ntanzi asserted that their earlier confessions were forced out of them by the South African Police Service. Sibiya and Ntanzi argued that they were assaulted by the police and forced to confess.
What you need to know about Senzo Meyiwa's trial
- Senzo Meyiwa, who was Orlando Pirates' goalkeeper, was murdered while visiting the home of Kelly Khumalo's mother
- His trial began a few years after his death, and five men, including Sibiya and Ntanzi, were arrested for his death
- One of the affidavits read by the police during the trial proceedings revealed that Kelly Khumalo may have been the mastermind of the assassination
South Africans weigh in
Netizens on Facebook discussed the ramifications of the judge's ruling.
Sportstake Ghostwinners said:
"The court of public opinion will learn that the law works with evidence, not personal opinions."
Nkazimulo Anthonio Nhlanhla said:
"Meaning Kelly Khumalo must be prosecuted."
Sfiso Gumede remarked:
"There will never be justice for Senzo. They will always cover up for the real killers."
SAPS reveals that Senzo Meyiwa's death was a hit
In a similar article, Briefly News reported that an affidavit read in court revealed that Senzo Meyiwa's killing was a hit.
Brigadier Bongani Gininda testified that two of the men accused of killing Meyiwa confessed that they were contracted to kill him.
Source: Briefly News
