‘Why would I lie?’ an emotional Madlala asks court
An emotional Tumelo Madlala has told the High Court in Pretoria of the hardships he has endured due to the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
Madlala, a childhood friend of the slain footballer, made the remarks on Tuesday as he began his cross-examination with defence advocate for accused number one and two, Sipho Ramosepele.
Ramosepele questioned Madlala if any intruders were in the Khumalo home when Meyiwa was shot and killed.
“I wouldn’t come here and lie. I don’t have time to waste. You can say what you want to say because you’re on the side of those that you’re representing. I’d like for you to tell me a reason why I should lie to you. What would the reasons be? You don’t know what I’ve been through because of this case.
“You’re disrespecting what I’m saying when you claim that there were no intruders in the house when I was there. I was there. You’re disrespecting me and what I’m saying.”
Further contradictions between the various witnesses emerged on Tuesday when Madlala told court that Meyiwa tussled with accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi.
His evidence went against that of Mthokozisi Thwala and Zandile Khumalo, who both told the court that Meyiwa tussled with the gunman shortly before the firearm went off.
Zandile told the court that she and Madlala used one of his crutches to hit the second intruder.
But Madlala disputed this.
“I don’t remember using a crutch and hitting this person. I hit him with a fist. That would be her evidence.”
“When did that happen in the context of the scuffle?” probed Ramosepele.
“This I did when Senzo pinned against the wall. This was when I wanted to exit the house, but when I saw Senzo pinning him against the wall because of that, that’s when I punched him,” responded Madlala.
Court proceedings will resume on Thursday.
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