The Senzo Meyiwa trial continues today with the late Bafana Bafana captain's close friend Tumelo Madlala taking the stand as a third witness yet again. Yesterday Madlala claimed claimed he was petrified after he was chased by the media with Judge Maumela saying the journalists responsible should not go unpunished.
Maumela said, "between broadcasting and making the witness feel safe, I choose the latter." He apologised to Madlala for how he was treated before taking the stand.
State prosecutor Advocate Baloyi started his questioning by asking Madlala where he was from and his relationship with Meyiwa.
"I stay in Port Shepstone but my home is in uMlazi. I met Senzo in school and we played for the same team, London Cosmos. He was the kind of friend who would never go home before passing by my house," said Madlala.

EVENTS OF THAT DAY

Baloyi asked Madlala to take him back to the 25th of October 2014. Madlala said he was called by the deceased to come and visit him as he usually did. He said Kelly Khumalo was tasked by Meyiwa to send him money for transport fare.
"it was on a Sunday, Senzo told me to get off at Spruitview which was unusual for me because I was used to going to his place. I received instructions to get off at the robots where he would pick me up. I got off and waited a bit. He came in BMW X6 carrying Kelly and Zandi Khumalo as  well as Mthoko Twala." said Madlala, who explained that Mthoko Twala was their friend and also Mandisa's cousin. Mandisa was Senzo's wife.                                                                                                         "Before going to the house we passed a tavern and Senzo realised he didn't have cash, he borrowed it promising to return it. Zandi had R400 and got off with Mthoko to go and buy. We remained in the car and Senzo asked me to take pictures of him but Kelly ended up taking them."

A STOP AT THE TAVERN

Madlala said from the tavern they went to a house he later learned to be Kelly's home.
"When we got there Senzo introduced me to Kelly's mother and told me she was helping them take care of Thingo, their daughter."
He explained that while they were drinking, food was prepared as they were watching football.
"After a while a gentleman arrived Senzo introduced him as Longwe Twala. We didn't speak much with this guy because his focus was on Zandi."
Asked about the sitting arrangement in the lounge Madlala said, " Gladness (MaKhumalo) , Zandi and Longwe were sitting on one couch. On another couch facing theirs was him, Mthoko and Senzo. Kelly was sitting next to Senzo but she would regularly move to sit on the floor"

GOING FOR A SMOKE

Madlala said eventually he needed a smoke so he stepped outside with Mthoko to grab one.
He said the house did not have a gate so they stepped outside and leaned on the wall.
"After smoking I wanted to go back in but Mthoko said I should wait a bit so I don't walk in smelling of smoke."
As he was relating his story Madlala looked at the five accused and asked to take a break.
Court resumed after lunch and the witness continued with his statement.
"We walked back in and went to the tap where I  washed my hands and rinsed my mouth. That's  when Senzo walked to the door and we started talking. Senzo said he wanted to buy everything his family needed in Durban and then he wanted to use R10 000 to book a hotel for himself and Kelly. As we were talking  Kelly appeared and asked if we were planning to leave." Baloyi asked Madlala if anyone left the house that night.
" Kelly and Senzo left, Gladness had flu so I think they went to the pharmacy to get her medicine," responded Madlala.

HOW SENZO WAS MURDERED

Madlala said while they were sitting, someone walked in.
"We were all sitting when the person who walked in had a gun. He was wearing a brown caramel jacket. He had a black and white scotch hat. The man was short with big eyes and that's all I can remember. He demanded money and our phones."
He said Longwe got up and pushed the man, headed to the kitchen door and ran out.
He said that's when people got a chance to get up, Kelly ran into one of the bedrooms.
" When I got up, there was chaos in the house, suddenly there a second guy. Senzo grabbed his hand and pinned him against the wall. I thought of running out but then hit the guy Senzo was holding with a fist and then a gunshot went off. The guy who got in first was being hit by Kelly, her mother and Zandi using my crutch."                 He said after the gun went off he ran to the bedroom.
"When I got into the bedroom I hid my phone under some blankets and clothes. I thought of jumping out the window but it had burglar bars. I locked myself inside and Mthoko later opened for me with a spoon. When I came out I heard everyone screaming Senzo's name,"said Madlala. A teary Madlala said he saw Meyiwa lying between the couch and TV stand, seemingly trying to hide. Court resumes today