“The right man” walks free
The Boksburg Magistrates' Court has this morning withdrawn the case involving the man accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa. This was due to lack of evidence to link the accused to the murder.
The man who was arrested last month and charged for the murder of Meyiwa was scheduled to appear at the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court this morning, for legal aid assistance, but the case was withdrawn in absentia of the accused.
Police on Monday, November 3, said they were confident the man arrested in connection with the murder of Bafana Bafana captain Meyiwa played a part in the crime.
Divisional Commissioner of Detective Services, Lieut-Gen Vinesh Moonoo told reporters that the police remain confident the accused, Zanokuhle Mbatha, is linked to the crime, and they have “the right man”. At the time, it also appeared that he would be charged with murder and robbery.
In the meantime, it was revealed that two people, and not three, were involved in the shooting on Sunday, October 26.
“By all accounts it was a robbery that went wrong,” said Moonoo.
It was initially claimed that two people entered the house and a third stayed outside.
Meyiwa, also captain of Orlando Pirates, was killed in Vosloorus while visiting his singer and actress, girlfriend Kelly Khumalo.
The police also revealed they had detained and questioned 13 people with regard to the killing of Meyiwa. This, however, has led to only one arrest.
Mbatha first appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, October 31. The matter was then postponed to today, November 11.
Moonoo said on November 3, police were at a stage where they could focus on a court-driven investigation and follow up on other leads.
South African Police Service broke the news of his death via Twitter, stating the need to move away from protocol in confirming his death.
A detailed report will follow shortly.
