Senzo Meyiwa trial: Case postponed as witness tries to stop media broadcasting testimony

The murder trial of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa has been postponed because a new witness, who was inside the house when the soccer star was killed brought an application to stop the media from broadcasting her testimony.

The media and lawyers for the accused only heard on Monday morning that the new witness was bringing the application.

The court heard through the state that the new witness said she was worried about her safety as she has to perform in public occasionally and appearing could potentially endanger her life.

The matter was stood down until Wednesday, 17 May.

ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa trial: Witness denies lovers spat between Longwe Twala and Zandi Khumalo

Broadcasting of proceedings

State Advocate George Baloyi said the woman had no objections to journalists being present in the courtroom. However, she strongly expressed her concerns regarding the live broadcast of her audio or visuals.

The state prosecutor asked Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela that in the “interests of justice”, the state’s application should be granted.

Lawyers argue against witness’s application

Advocate Zandile Mshololo, representing one of the accused, highlighted that the media had concerns over being informed about the state’s application only on Monday morning.

The attorney representing the media, Dan Rosengarten, argued against the media blackout, saying the witness has in the past shown she’s not camera shy and has tweeted about the case.

“She has on her own volition made media statements and has publicly spoken about the matter,” he said.

Rosengarten added that the court should consider a subpoena if the witness refuses to give evidence.

Mshololo also weighed in, poking holes in the witness’s claims that she will be prejudiced if her testimony is broadcast. She said the witness had already appeared in a Netflix documentary about Meyiwa’s murder.

“She was paid for participating [in the documentary], she benefitted without any prejudice. Now, today, she says she will suffer prejudice.

“She has said a lot about this case, and she never asked for any limitations of not showing her face or any visuals not being recorded in that documentary,” said Mshololo.

Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe

ALSO READ: Witness in Meyiwa trial raises objection to live media broadcast of proceedings