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PRETORIA - On Monday, Advocate Sipho Ramosepele announced during proceedings at the Pretoria High Court that he had received instructions from the father of accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, to take over the case from Thobane. Ramosepele also dropped a bombshell that contradicted both accused number one and number two’s previous statements, in which they had previously maintained that they didn’t know each other. “He (Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya’s father) indicated to me that accused number two grew up with his son, accused one. Therefore, he was still going to speak with the family of accused number two before they finalise and concretise my appointment in this matter, (as) that was only done on Saturday. In light of that, my Lord, I couldn’t take a chance and confirm something that was not a hundred per cent that I would be here. Hence, my learned colleagues and the court were not informed then,” he said.

State advocate George Baloyi highlighted that the State was ready to proceed but indicated that due to the circumstances, the case would have to stand down.

Baloyi also indicated that the State was ready to call a new witness to the dock but he didn’t mention the witness’ name.

Last week, State witness Tumelo Madlala, who has proclaimed himself to be the best friend of slain Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana skipper Senzo Meyiwa, conceded he did not have a clear sight of the alleged gun-wielding intruder and it was not because he drank four cans of alcohol when the fatal shooting took place.

Madlala was grilled under cross-examination by defence advocate for accused number five, Zandile Mshololo, who probed his presence of mind and actions after he realised that Meyiwa had been wounded.

Mshololo also punched holes in his statement deposed in 2018, when he described the features of the gun, questioning how he was able to identify what type of gun the alleged intruder was carrying if he did not see the person clearly.