Thwala testimony ‘tainted by TV coverage’

THE legal counsels of the five men on trial for the 2014 murder of Senzo Meyiwa have accused the soccer player's childhood friend of tailoring his evidence after watching the trial proceedings and the evidence given by others broadcast on TV.

Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo, on behalf of the fourth accused Mthokoziseni Maphisa, wasted no time pointing out how different Mthokozisi Thwala's version of events was in comparison to the evidence collected by the police, other occupants inside the house and neighbours statements.

Nxumalo began and finished his cross-examination yesterday after advocate Charles Mnisi concluded his cross-examination on behalf of Mthobisi Prince Mncube, the third accused, shortly before the lunch adjournment.

Nxumalo questioned Thwala as to why his evidence and statements made by him in 2014 and in 2015 to the police were not similar..

Nxumalo said that the statement made by Warrant Officer Mohlahlo indicated that blood spots were found in the living area next to the TV stand, meaning that the scuffle between Meyiwa and the intruder happened in the living area and not in the kitchen as Thwala testified.

He read out the statement of Kelly Khumalo that detailed how her mother, Meyiwa, Thwala as well as Tumelo Madlala, another childhood friend, had struggled with the gunman. Khumalo's statement also placed the scuffle with the intruder in the living area.

Thwala said he would not dispute Khumalo's statement, however, he did not agree with how she saw things on October 26, 2014.

“I will not dispute what she (Khumalo) said but all I know is what happened to me and what I saw on that night which I testified to.”