Still no justice for Meyiwa

HOPE THAT ONGOING TRIAL DELAYS COULD FINALLY COME TO AN END THIS YEAR

- Molefe Seeletsa

The journey to justice for the family of former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has been long and fraught with delays, leaving many wondering if his murder trial will ever reach a conclusion.

It has been more than 10 years since Meyiwa's death shocked South Africa. Though he was honoured with a state funeral, justice remains elusive a decade later.

Meyiwa was fatally shot on 26 October 2014, while visiting his then-girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, at her family's home in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case, it took six years for arrests to be made in 2020. The murder trial only began two years later in the High Court in Pretoria, where it has faced multiple restarts.

The case remains unresolved as the five accused men - Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, Mthobisi Mncube and Fisokuhle Ntuli - maintain their innocence.

While the state is approaching the end of its case in the trial, the matter seems to be far from over.

The trial has faced significant setbacks, including a complete restart in July 2023.

Initially overseen by Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, the case had to be reassigned to retired Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, due to his colleague's ill health.