Failure to arrest mastermind behind Senzo murder further corrodes trust in law enforcement authorities

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit and the family of the former Bafana-Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa expressed their displeasure today over the failure of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to order the arrest and court appearance of the mastermind behind the murder of Senzo. The case was transferred to the Palm Ridge High Court in Johannesburg today and will continue on 19 July 2021 with pretrial proceedings. The trial date is set for 25 October 2021. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit represents the Meyiwa family.

According to Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of the Private Prosecution Unit, the NPA’s failure to act against the mastermind is of grave concern, especially since there is ample proof to arrest this person, according to the Unit. “Now the prosecutor wants to transfer the case to the High Court on a charge that does not consider the element of premeditation. We have already said at the previous court appearance that the continuous failure to act against the mastermind is damaging the case. This person allegedly contracted assassins to commit the murder. The current charge does not allow for the deduction to be made that Meyiwa was killed during the execution of an assassination. It is therefore irrational to transfer the case at this stage to the High Court.”

Today’s events confirm the community’s negative perception of the ability of law enforcers to cope effectively with complex cases like these without any political interference, according to Nel.  “AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit assisted the investigation team throughout and has sympathy with their frustration about the NPA’s unwillingness to charge the suspect and add the person to the charge sheet. The perception has already been created that this person is being protected from prosecution – and the current unwillingness of the prosecutor to charge this person reinforces this perception.” 

“Society has the right to demand competent, rational and fair action by the prosecuting authority, without any political interference. This is one of the reasons why AfriForum is involved in the case: We owe it to society to ensure that the NPA prosecutes without fear, favour or prejudice,” says Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum.

According to Zama and Nomalanga Meyiwa, Senzo’s sisters, the family simply wants justice to prevail for their brother. “The fact that the mastermind has not been charged at the time of this court appearance places the family under immense pressure. We want certainty about what happened on the night that Senzo was killed,” Nomalanga says.

“We want justice for the death of Senzo and expect the law-enforcement authorities to charge and bring before the court parties against whom there is evidence. The family is grateful that AfriForum is supporting us in this case to ensure that justice – for which we have been waiting for seven years – eventually prevails,” Nomalanga says.

* Five suspects (Muzikawulahlelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokosizi Maphisa and SifikuhleNkani Ntuli Sifiso) appeared in the Magistrate’s Court in  Boksburg today. They are charged with murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, the possession of firearms without licences and the possession of ammunition.

Statement issued by Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head: Private Prosecution Unit, AfriForum, 5 March 2021