Meyiwa trial judge throws media out of courtroom
JUDGE Tshifhiwa Maumela, who is
presiding over the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, yesterday instructed all media to leave the courtroom after a witness’s face was shown by one of the news channels.
Judge Maumela had ruled that Tumelo Madlala’s face should not be revealed during his time on the witness stand in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. However, yesterday one of the TV channels disobeyed the ruling.
State prosecutor, advocate George Baloyi notified Judge Maumela about Madlala’s face being shown on TV.
“We spoke to the representative of the consent media houses, they say there’s a camera person who feed to different media house, so it appears the SABC camera person (is the one) who did this my lord,” said Baloyi.
“Why did they do that, what was their explanation,” asked Judge Maumela.
Baloyi said they were still trying to establish the reason behind the camera person’s decision.
“I don’t expect whoever is responsible for this to be in here when I return. We don’t want to risk the lives of anyone in this case.
“If the problem is the media, then let them go out and sort out who went errant and that person will remain outside and all those who are innocent will come back,” Judge Maumela said.
Maumela said he would not proceed without the culprit being found.
Court had to be adjourned to find the person responsible for showing Madlala’s face.
In September, three broadcast media houses were asked to leave the courthouse over allegations they chased the same witness with cameras.
Baloyi at the time said Madlala was chased by members of the media with cameras wanting to take his photo.
Baloyi said this had petrified and unsettled the witness, who had to be taken to a room.
“While we support the coverage from the media, events from this morning are unacceptable.
“Intrusive, overbearing conduct by the media against the witness is a cause for concern.”
Baloyi asked that the court reiterate guidelines.
He said the media should not be above the law and especially if it affects people coming to give testimony.
Earlier, Madlala was accused of lying to the court in his submission that two intruders came into the house and fatally shot the footballer.
Advocate Zandile Mshololo, the counsel for Sifisokuhle Ntuli, the fifth accused in the trial, questioned Madlala over his statement to police that during the armed robbery, Longwe Twala had confronted the intruder who was wielding a pistol and demanding phones from the house occupants.
“For a person who is not armed, to go straight (and attack the intruder) … you said you could not even look at the armed intruder.
“You slightly looked at him because you were scared. Another person stands up and goes straight to the person who is armed, Mr Madlala?” Mshololo questioned Madlala.
“He (the intruder) had a gun. You say Mr Longwe (Twala) ran to that person. That is not possible, Mr Tumelo. It never happened like that. It is unbelievable.”
Madlala said Mshololo’s submission was a lie, and he was “100 percent” certain that there were two intruders at the house.
He said Longwe’s act was “impossible” but it happened.
Five men – Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Ntuli – are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as possession of ammunition.
All of the five accused have pleaded not guilty.
Meyiwa was killed on October 26, 2014 in Vosloorus.
In the house that day were Meyiwa, Kelly Khumalo and her younger sister, Zandile, their mother Ntombi Khumalo, Longwe Twala, Meyiwa’s friends Mthokozisi Thwala and Madlala, Kelly’s then 4-year-old son, Christian, and Thingo, her daughter with Meyiwa.