Witness statement sees Meyiwa trial adjourned early on Wednesday

Proceedings came to an abrupt halt in the High Court in Pretoria after the defence for the five accused took issue with a statement from a new witness.

It accused the state of only providing them with the statement at the eleventh hour.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng said the trial would resume on Thursday.

The defence teams for all five accused told the court that they would need the whole day to consult with their clients due to the witness statement only being handed to them on Tuesday evening. 

ALSO READ: Meyiwa witness retracts accused's admission claim

The witness was only referred to as a Detective Zungu. 

State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi told court he had also only received the statement on Tuesday evening.

He said the intention was not to catch the defence off-guard.

"The aim was never to catch the defence unaware. We also received the copy yesterday and dispatched it to my colleagues. I received it from the investigating team." 

The trial will resume on Thursday morning.