Accused 1 in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Muzi Sibiya, made admissions in relation to the former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, the first time he was questioned about his 2014 Vosloorus murder.
Detailing Sibiya’s arrest on the 30th of May 2020, Sergeant Batho-Bakae Mogola from the Cold Case Investigation Unit, has told the high court in Pretoria about how they discovered 9 unused rounds of ammunition, a magazine and a cleaning rod Sibiya’s room when he was arrested.
She says following an unsuccessful search for the gun outside the Vusumuzi Hostel in Tembisa, she questioned Sibiya in relation to Meyiwa’s murder and there and then, Sibiya conceded.
“I then asked him if he was involved in the murder of Senzo Meyiwa. When he responded to the question I had asked, I could see that he was making admissions. I reminded him of his constitutional rights, and he went further to tell me. I then went on to ask him about other cases not related to Senzo Meyiwa. I then asked him if he was comfortable with me communicating what he was telling me to my boss and he said he didn’t have a problem with that. I then called Brigadier Gininda and informed him about the admission made by accused 1.”
Baloyi: What time was it?
Mogola: We arrived in Vosloorus around 4. We waited for the Brigadier outside at the parking lot. At Vosloorus I was joined by Sergeant Mabena and eventually, the brigadier arrived.#SABCNews #SenzoMeyiwa #SenzoMeyiwatrial
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) November 20, 2023
A few hours later, Sibiya was transported to the Diepkloof Police Station where, according to Mogola, he officially made a confession statement in front Colonel Mhlanganyelwa Mbotho.
Mogola says later Constable Maphumulo and Monareng arrived, and the accused was handed to them to transport him to the Diepkloof Police Station where he would make the confession in front of Colonel Mhlanganyelwa Mbotho. She says she remained in the office. #SABCNews #SenzoMeyiwa
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) November 20, 2023
Throughout the proceedings on Monday morning, Sibiya looked down as he scribbled in a book.
Mbotho has previously denied the accused was tortured before signing the confession statement, telling the court he’d appeared calm and in his sober senses.
Mogola says the following day, Sibiya was transported to Palm Ridge where he pointed out a traditional healer.
However, a previous witness in the matter, Lion Zwane – a traditional healer who testified in the matter – told the court that the Sibiya who had consulted him around the time Meyiwa was shot and killed was tall, raising questions as to whether he and accused knew each other.
According to Mogola, an interaction between the two, the two seemed to know each other.
“As Gininda was reading umkhulu his rights, Buthelezi arrived with Muzi and umkhulu made a certain remark, which indicated that they knew each other,” says Mogola.
She says “umkhulu” was then taken out and Brig Gininda was left alone with traditional healer for questioning, during which she also got to know him as Lion Robert Zwane.
More details on the pointings-out by Sibiya on the 5th of June are expected to be heard in the post-lunch proceedings.
Senzo Meyiwa murder trial I New witness Sergeant Batho Mogola takes the stand:
