Meyiwa's best friend unable to describe scuffle when he was shot

Senzo Meyiwa’s close friend Mthokozisi Thwala told the Pretoria high court on Wednesday he could not describe the scuffle that took place in the Vosloorus home where Meyiwa was killed on October 26 2014.

Thwala said he could not describe how Meyiwa and the first intruder who entered the Vosloorus home pushed each other from the sitting room to the kitchen as he had turned to take his cellphone from the TV stand after Meyiwa stood up.

“I won't be able to explain or describe how the pushing happened,” he said.

Meyiwa was gunned down in what was described as a botched robbery in the presence of his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo, her mother Ntombi, sister Zandi, Zandi’s boyfriend Longwe Twala and Senzo’s friends Thwala and Tumelo Madlala.

Focusing on the scuffle, advocate Charles Mnisi for accused Mthobisi Prince Mncube asked Thwala to show or explain to the court how the pushing happened.

Thwala had previously testified that when the first intruder, whom he first thought was a neighbour, came into the house, the first person to react was Longwe Twala, who stood up and ran towards the gun-wielding man.

“Senzo went to the person with the firearm, they pushed each other towards the kitchen. Tumelo stood up, [and] Zandi and Kelly’s mother. I remember I took my phone which was close to the TV and went to the kitchen and there was already a scuffle,” Thwala said.

Despite moving from the sitting room after grabbing his phone from the TV stand, Thwala also failed to describe the scuffle in the kitchen. He said he did not get involved in the scuffle and only concentrated on moving Kelly’s child to his left side.

“I think I cannot explain or describe exactly what happened because there were six people, the four were on the other side and I wouldn't be able to say who was holding who or where, and the two were also on my side assaulting the one with a gun,” he said.

Mnisi accused Thwala of trying to intentionally evade explaining how the pushing took place.

Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are standing trial for the murder of the footballer. They have been charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. All have pleaded not guilty.

The trial continues.

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