Tumelo Madlala, a childhood friend of Senzo Meyiwa, returned to the witness stand at the former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper’s murder trial on Wednesday. He is expected to complete his testimony.
Madlala is expected to continue detailing what happened when two intruders broke into the home at that time and demanded cellphones and money. He says the first intruder, who came in with a gun, was short, with dreadlocks, wearing a beanie and a brown or caramel jacket.
Trial of Senzo Meiva | Unpacking Tumel Madlala’s testimony
The state opened its case Wednesday, focusing on the state in which it found Meyiwa in the living room after the shooting.
Madlala told the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday that Longwe was the first to react, pushing one of the attackers on the way out.
“When he pushed this guy in the opening, then the people who were in the house got a chance to get up. I think Kelly went into that room (points to sketch).”
Madlala says there was turmoil at this stage.
He says that when he stood up, he saw another tall boy. This is the man whose hand Meiyiwa grabbed and pinned against the wall.
“My intention was to get out of the house and when I got there, I punched the guy (pointing to the left side of his face). While I was there, Senzo held this guy against the wall, shot and left. Whoever came first was attacked by Zandi, Makumala and Kelly because I think Kelly had my crutches.’
Who exactly pulled the trigger
Madlal is expected to explain who exactly pulled the trigger when cross-examination begins.
So far, he has only told the court about the gun held by the first attacker, who was attacked with a crutch by Kelly, Zandi and Gladness Khumalo around the time of the shooting.
Madlala has not yet told the court whether the second assailant had a gun with him.
Constantly exchanging deep glances with some of the accused, Madlala told the court that when he heard the gunshot, he ran to the safety of one of the bedrooms and found Meyiwa lying on the living room floor between the couch and the TV stand.
Longwe Twala (Zandi’s boyfriend at the time), Kelly Khumalo (Meyiwa’s girlfriend), Gladness Khumalo (owner of the house), Zandi Khumalo (Kelly’s sister), Thumela Madlala (Meyiwa’s boyfriend) and Mtakazisi Twala (Meyiwa’s friend) were the people who were in the house when Meyiwa was shot dead.
Watch the live stream #SenzoMeyiwatrial here: https://t.co/E6a2qYwA3H
The trial will continue at 10 am. The collapse of the state is expected #SenzoMeyiwachildhood friend, chief witness Thumel Madlala, to allow the defense to begin cross-examination. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/vvdoDOUm2Q– Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) September 14, 2022
