Cross-examination of Senzo ballistic expert delayed
Specialist’s evidence links gun to Meyiwa murder
The Pretoria high court has postponed to May 20 the crossexamination of a ballistic expert whose evidence links a gun to the murder of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa.
However, the trial will continue hearing evidence from other witnesses.
Ballistic expert Lt-Col Christian Mangena, who has already testified on crucial evidence about the alleged murder weapon eight months ago, is yet to be cross-examined.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has raised concern about the long delay in cross-examining Mangena, especially given the crucial evidence he has tendered to the court.
Last August, Mangena’s cross-examination was halted for the defence to consult its ballistics expert to counter his evidence. However, the court heard on Monday that the defence was waiting to hear from the Legal Aid Board about whether it would finance the unpaid amount for the services of the expert they consulted.
According to the defence, some of the money has been paid but there is an outstanding balance.
Yesterday, a representative from the Legal Aid Board, Flavia Isola, told the court that the defence’s application to fund its private ballistic expert was submitted on April 5, a few days before the resumption of the trial after recess.
“We received the email and immediately responded they need to get permission to do so and set out why they need an expert, and submit a costing of that expert,” she said.
Isola said the defence had not yet furnished them with the costs of the expert.
Defence advocate Charles Mnisi said the expert s preliminary report was ready.
Mokgoatlheng postponed Mangena’s cross-examination by a month. “Everybody here should go over the evidence tendered by Mangena to refresh on the evidence, to be able to cross-examine.”
Mangena’s evidence linked the gun to Mthobisi Mncube .
Mncube, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya‚ Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi‚ Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are accused of murdering Meyiwa in Vosloorus in October 2014.
The trial continues today.