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Senzo Meyiwa murder trial | Muzi Sibiya appoints new legal representative
PRETORIA - The trial within a trial in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case has hit another snag.
This time with one of the accused firing his lawyer at the eleventh hour.
Muzi Sibiya terminated the services of his instructing attorney - Sipho Ramosepele - opting for his co-counsel’s representative, Thulani Mngomezulu. Closing arguments were meant to be heard on Monday but these have now been halted but as eNCA's Manqoba Mchunu reports, Sibiya’s submissions didn’t end there.
Another setback in what was meant to be the conclusion of a lengthy trial within a trial. With accused one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, firing his lawyer.
Mngomezulu said, "It has been made clear to accused number 1 that the legal aid board has made a final decision that I will not be paid for the work done since I started the trial-within-a-trial."
"Over the weekend that was communicated to accused 1 subsequent to that I was called by his uncle who indicated to me that he will still require my services they will rather terminate the services of legal aid board and instruct me privately. That has been discussed with accused 1 and Mr Ramosepele.”
But that's not the only hurdle. Sibyia made a further application.
He said, "Prior to that, there was a discussion among my colleagues as per the instructions of Mr Sibiya that there are certain witnesses he intended to call." "Now this situation as it stands he instructs me that I must bring an application to re-open the defense case on his behalf and call the witnesses he intended to it rekated to the officers of SAPS I was told would need to be subpoenad."
Those witnesses include former Ekurhuleni police commissioner Vincent Leshabane, former Gauteng Hawks boss Shadrack Sibiya and officer Meshack Makhubo who was an investigator in Meyiwa’s 2014 murder.
But the state has cautioned against the move.
Sibiya and Ntanzi are disputing their alleged confessions, saying they were tortured into signing already-prepared statements.
The matter has adjourned to Wednesday for Mngomezulu to consult with his witnesses.