Thulani Mngomezulu says there is a witness who can testify one bullet hit Longwe’s then-girlfriend, Zandile Khumalo, another hit Meyiwa, and the final bullet penetrated Longwe’s ankle. Image Getty
(The Post News)- Defence lawyer Thulani Mngomezulu argued that it was Longwe Twala, who was at the Khumalos house, who pulled the trigger and killed Senzo Meyiwa. Mngomezulu made this statement on Tuesday in the High Court in Pretoria while cross-examining ballistics expert Colonel Chris Mangena.
At the beginning of the cross-examination, defence lawyer Thulani Mngomezulu expressed doubts about the police’s decision to send Twala’s firearm for analysis.
Mngomezulu said one of the firearms sent for analysis belonged to Longwe’s father, musician Chicco Twala. Although Mangena said weapons tests returned negative, Mngomezulu maintained Longwe was the culprit.
Mngomezulu said what links Chicco Twala to the firearms test is the presence of Longwe at the scene where Senzo was shot. “We have a theory, which we will prove later, that Longwe was the shooter that killed Meyiwa Senzo,” he told the court.
However, Mangena could not confirm whether Twala’s weapon had been sent for testing. Instead, he confirmed that all other firearms had been tested for bullets found at the scene, but no results were positive.
On Wednesday, Mngomezulu revealed that Longwe shot himself in the leg during an argument with Meyiwa.
Mngomezulu, the lawyer for accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya said this happened the night Meyiwa was murdered and that he would call a witness to testify on behalf of Sibiya. Sibiya’s witness will state that there were three shots fired inside the Khumalo house.
Mngomezulu noted that the witness could testify that one bullet hit Longwe’s then-girlfriend, Zandile Khumalo, another hit Meyiwa, and the final bullet penetrated Longwe’s ankle.
Meyiwa was shot dead at the home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in October 2014.
The state alleges that it was a contract killing on Meyiwa’s life involving all five accused.
However, Mngomezulu’s questioning appears to be exploring alternative explanations for the source of the murder weapon, which may cast doubt on the involvement of the five accused.
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