No DNA evidence from three suspects in Meyiwa trial – forensic analyst

Ruling out DNA evidence of three of the accused from singer Kelly Khumalo’s home, the state is today expected to shed light on whether the other two men in the dock for Senzo Meyiwa’s murder can conclusively be placed on the scene.

Forensic analyst Phineas Masetla yesterday confirmed that no DNA from suspects Mthokoziseni Maphisa, Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli and Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya was found in all the places swabbed by the police at Khumalo's home in Volsoorus where her boyfriend, Meyiwa, was allegedly shot and killed by intruders in 2014.

Masetla said DNA was taken from all the five suspects for testing, however, state prosecutor George Baloyi then directed him to focus on another aspect of his DNA evidence.  

Masetla is expected to shed light on what his findings were pertaining to Mthobisi Prince Mncube and Bongani Ntanzi who the state allege were the two men who invaded Khumalo's home the night Meyiwa was killed. 

Before the court adjourned yesterday, Masetla said in their swabbing of the bedroom door handle at the Khumalos they found characteristics of a DNA chromosome that can possibly linked to Mncube.

Khumalo's sister Zandile told the could in July that Ntanzi was one of the men who invaded her home. 

“What I know and knew at the time was that my day would come when I would be able to say [that Ntanzi was the suspect I saw that night]. Whether I said it then or here, I will eventually say it,” she said at the time.

Meyiwa's friend Mthokozi Thwala had also previously pointed to Mncube in court as one of the people responsible for the death of his friend. He went as far as describing the dreadlocks and the sweater he wore on the night of the murder.

Earlier in the day Masetla told the court the areas they had swabbed at the Khumalos house which included two alcohol cans where DNA belonging to Zandile and Meyiwa was found. 

He also excluded all the suspects from the scotch hat that some witnesses claimed was allegedly left behind by one of the intruders. Masetla said their investigation into the hat showed a mixture of DNA which suggested that it could have been worn by more than one person.

The crutches belonging to Tumelo Madlala, Meyiwa's friend, which were used to allegedly assault the intruders, failed to give a DNA profile.

Outstanding cellphone data of two of the five suspects led to a state witness's testimony being temporarily suspended earlier yesterday.

The lawyers for the accused objected to evidence being given by a police witness who was supposed to testify on the confiscation of the cellphones belonging to Ntanzi and Ntuli.

They asked that the cellphone evidence of all witnesses be paused until they are furnished with section 205 evidence to enable them to get proper instructions from their clients for their defence.

Adv Zandile Mshololo said her client would be prejudiced if she was unable to consult with him on the evidence the state intended to produce.

“If the state is going to use the section 205 during trial, it must be supplied to me so I can consult thoroughly with all these statements of different witnesses who will be testifying in relation to the cellphone that is attributed to accused 5,” she said.

Mshololo said she has been asking the state to disclose the section 205 cellphone evidence relating to the number alleged to have been used by Ntuli.

Baloyi told the court the Vodacom expert who is supposed to provide section 205 evidence was still busy compiling her statement.

He said the data provided to her was in excess of 4,000 pages and she was busy narrowing it down to the relevant data for the accused.

Defence advocate Charles Mnisi accused the state of not being ready and conducting investigations mid-trial.

“It is apparent. It is beyond reproach that at the time at which the state decided to indict these people and frog-marched them to court for their first appearance the state was not yet ready to embark on that process. Cellphone records are not yet ready at this point, from 2020 to 2023. It's almost three years now,” he said.

Masetla is expected to continue with his evidence today.