The new judge presiding over the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial Ratha Mokgoatlheng has no patience for unnecessary drama. He told state prosecutor George Baloyi and the witness Zandie Khumalo that they thought the court was playing "a game of fafi", when the state asked for an adjournment because the witness wasn't feeling well yesterday.
TIME FOR GAMES OVER
Judge Mokgoatlheng told Baloyi that he was old school and would not tolerate this type of behaviour."A problem has arisen and has nothing to do with the running of the court, how is that the court's problem," asked Mokgoatlheng, who then asked Zandie to stand up and give her full name and surname. "Just stand up, what's wrong with you?" asked Mokgoatlheng. In a frail voice Zandie responded that she had chest pains. Baloyi told the judge that from today, problems of this nature won't arise. While packing up and preparing for adjournment, Mokgoatlheng said: "You guys are playing fafi ne, do you know what fafi is? Umchina". Mokgoatlheng seems to want court proceedings to run speedily as no tea break was even granted to the court staff. Later on the same day, Zandie posted on her Instagram travelling from OR Tambo International Airport but did not specify where she was headed to. "And we were up..off we went. Because sometimes your sanity and peace should come before everything and everyone. Vele abantu bazokhuluma but angeke bakwenzele litho, missed my son," she wrote.
NEVER SEEN ACCUSED
Whilst giving her testimony earlier yesterday, Zandie told the court that she was never called to an identity parade by the South African Police Service after they had arrested the accused in the matter. Instead again she pointed out accused number 2 Bongani Ntanzi, as one of the intruders in the house before Meyiwa was killed. The matter was adjourned to today morning where Zandie will face cross-examination from the lawyers of the accused. Muzikawukhulelwa Sthemba Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Ncube, Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa, and Sifisokuhle Ntuli face a range of charges, including premeditated murder and attempted murder in connection with Meyiwa's killing. Zandie is expected back in court this morning.
