Confession Statements by Accused in Senzo Meyiwa Murder Trial Ruled Admissible

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has made a ruling on the admissibility of confession statements in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng presiding over the case has determined that the confessions made by Bongani Ntanzi and Muzi Sibiya were voluntary and free from coercion.

The court proceedings, which have been ongoing since October 2023, involved a trial within a trial to ascertain the validity of the confession statements. The ruling means that Ntanzi and Sibiya’s confession statements can now be admitted as evidence in the main trial.

During the trial, it was revealed that the confession statements were made by Ntanzi and Sibiya without any external pressure and while in a sound state of mind. This ruling by Judge Mokgoatlheng paves the way for the trial to proceed with this crucial evidence.

According to the court, Ntanzi made two confession statements, one to a police officer and another before a magistrate. Ntanzi claimed his confessions were made under duress, alleging that he was assaulted and tortured by law enforcement officials.

Sibiya, another accused in the case, also confessed to knowing the circumstances of Senzo Meyiwa’s murder. Similarly, he later retracted his statement, alleging he was coerced into confessing through torture.

The murder of Senzo Meyiwa, who was shot dead in 2014 while visiting his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, sparked national outrage and has remained a high-profile case in South Africa. The accused individuals have entered pleas of not guilty in the trial.