Justice for Meyiwa | Confessions deemed admissable
JOHANNESBURG - The North Gauteng High Court has determined confessions made by defendants 1 and 2 are admissible in the main Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
The ruling by Judge Ratha Mokgatlheng states that the disputed confessions by Muzi Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi, were made freely and voluntarily.
Legal expert, Melusi Xulu unpacked the judgment on eNCA.
He said, "The first hurdle has now been passed, we are now going to hear the details of the specific role by each confessor which may point out to the essential elements of the offences with which they're charged."
"It was important for the State to secure this victory because the content of the confessions has not yet been tested, they were fighting whether or not to lead with that evidence and now that the court has made way for them I think it's going to be very steep for the confessors whose statements have been ruled admissible on the basis that they were made freely and voluntarily."
"Confession on its own does not mean a death nail to the accused person, however depending on the contents of the statements thereof, it may mean that the accused person could easily convict themselves."
"That evidence as contained in the confessions must still be evaluated and tested that the state is now embroiled and they will now call the magistrate and will call the other officers involved in the confessions. I think we're now getting closer to the truth as to what really transpired."