The trial of five men accused of killing the late Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa in 26 October 2014, continues in the Pretoria High Court on Friday.
On Thursday, after the court proceedings were delayed on Monday, Zandile Khumalo-Gumede, a musician and a sister to Kelly Khumalo, testified.
Meyiwa was shot dead in what was described as a robbery gone wrong, in the presence of his then girlfriend Kelly, her mother Ntombi, Zandile, Zandile’s then boyfriend Longwe Twala, Senzo’s friends Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Thwala.
Much Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Ntuli are on trial for the murder. They are also charged with attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. The five accused all pleaded not the charges.
The court on Friday heard how Khumalo spoke to Meyiwa’s lifeless body and she kissed him on the forehead.
“She then took off the earrings he was wearing and I think she also took off the watch he had on his wrist”.
During the trial, Khumalo-Gumede testified about the events leading up to Meyiwa’s death. She recounted how she noticed his temperature dropping as they approached the hospital, and how she was the one to rush inside the reception and call for help.
Khumalo was present at the hospital and was seen speaking to Meyiwa’s lifeless body, kissing him on the forehead, and removing his earrings and watch. The hospital staff eventually came out with a stretcher and loaded Meyiwa onto it.
Khumalo-Gumede said she accompanied Khumalo to the room where she spent some time speaking to Meyiwa’s corpse.
“We then entered the room where he was lying. Then Kelly started to talk to him and I can’t remember what she was saying. She kissed him on the forehead. She then took off the earrings he was wearing and I think she also took off the watch he had on his wrist”. Khumalo-Gumede said.
She said they left the room where Meyiwa’s body was and there were people outside.