Meyiwa charges stay, rules judge

MURDER TRIAL: NO DISCHARGE FOR ACCUSED FOUR

- Molefe Seeletsa

One of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has failed in his attempt to have charges against him withdrawn.

The High Court in Pretoria on Monday dismissed the Section 174 application brought by accused four, Mthokoziseni Maphisa.

Maphisa had asked the court to acquit him of charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition, arguing that the state had not provided sufficient evidence to warrant his prosecution.

His application came after the state closed its case.

Despite the Legal Aid Board's refusal to fund the preparations - which led his co-accused to abandon their Section 174 applications - Maphisa proceeded with his.

In his ruling, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng said the law entitles an accused to be discharged only if there is no possibility of conviction unless they incriminate themselves.