Accused Sibiya Grilled on Contradictory Bank Records

 Meyiwa Trial Takes New Turn: Accused Sibiya Grilled on Contradictory Bank Records

PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The murder trial for the former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa continues to deliver dramatic developments at the High Court in Pretoria, with the State heavily focused on dismantling the alibi of Accused Number 1, Muzi Sibiya.

Sibiya, who has maintained that he was in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) during the time of the 2014 murder, was this week confronted with irrefutable financial evidence challenging his version of events.

The Alibi Contradiction

State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi presented transaction records showing that Sibiya's bank cards were actively used for numerous withdrawals in Gauteng during 2014, contradicting his sworn testimony that he had relocated to KZN.

The cross-examination intensified when Baloyi pointed to a specific record of a card replacement fee charged on a bank account in September 2014. Sibiya conceded under questioning that a card replacement would require the account holder's presence, and admitted the replacement was processed at a branch (Lesedi) near the crime scene in Vosloorus, Gauteng.

Sibiya attempted to explain the frequent use of his cards in Gauteng by claiming they were in the possession of the mother of his child, though he did not fully account for the card replacement transaction.

Rejection of Co-Accused's Statement

In a significant legal ruling earlier this week, trial Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng dismissed the State's application to cross-examine Sibiya using the contents of an alleged confession statement made by his co-accused, Bongani Ntanzi.

The court ruled in favour of the defence, affirming that under South African law, a confession made by a co-accused who has not yet taken the stand cannot be used as evidence against another accused, citing the need to uphold the constitutional right to a fair trial.

New 'Intruder' Theory Put to Sibiya

The cross-examination also saw Sibiya questioned on a new theory presented by his late former lawyer, Thulani Mngomezulu, that Longwe Twala (one of the occupants of the house) may have accidentally shot Meyiwa during a scuffle with his then-girlfriend Zandi Khumalo.

Sibiya was quick to distance himself from this version, stating, "What the late Mngomezulu said, I know nothing about it... What I know is the following, I know nothing about the death of Senzo."

Sibiya has repeatedly denied any involvement in the Bafana Bafana star's death, vehemently denying the State’s alleged theory that he was part of a contract killing ordered by Kelly Khumalo

The trial is set to continue as the State works to conclude its cross-examination of Accused Number 1.