The Senzo Meyiwa Trial 2025: What We Know So Far
More than ten years after Senzo Meyiwa was shot and killed at the Vosloorus home of Kelly Khumalo, the murder trial remains unfinished. What was once expected to deliver answers has instead become a symbol of delay, legal complexity and deep public frustration.
The trial, currently before the High Court in Pretoria, involves five accused: Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Tumelo Madlala and Fisokuhle Ntuli. All have pleaded not guilty. The state alleges that they were involved in an attempted robbery that led to Meyiwa’s death, a claim the defence disputes.
Over the course of the proceedings, the court has heard extensive argument about the reliability of the police investigation. Central to this has been the admissibility of confession statements, which the defence argues were obtained unlawfully. These disputes have required lengthy trial-within-a-trial hearings, contributing significantly to delays.
The role of the South African Police Service has been repeatedly scrutinised, with questions raised about investigative conduct, evidence handling and inconsistencies in witness testimony. Changes in legal representation; particularly on the defence side; have further slowed progress, requiring adjournments and fresh applications.
Presiding Judge Ratha Mokgoatleng has repeatedly emphasised the need to balance the rights of the accused with the public interest in finality. The National
Prosecuting Authority, led in court by Advocate George Baloyi, has maintained that it is presenting its case lawfully and within the bounds of due process.
For the public and for Meyiwa’s family, the passage of time has compounded the sense of injustice. Each postponement reinforces broader concerns about the capacity of South Africa’s criminal justice system to deliver timely accountability in high-profile cases.
This episode of SA Explained offers a clear, measured snapshot of where the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial stands in 2025; what has been established in court, what remains contested, and why the search for justice is still ongoing.
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