Newly appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Andy Mothibi.
Image: Supplied / GCIS
Newly appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Andy Mothibi has weighed in on the long running murder trial of slain soccer star Senzo Meyiwa, saying prosecutors have given him enough detail to suggest the case may succeed.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Mothibi said he had been briefed “sufficiently to indicate that there are prospects of success” in the prosecution’s case.
The remarks come as the high profile trial continues to grip the country more than a decade after Meyiwa was shot dead in what was first described as a botched robbery.
The briefing marked Mothibi’s first formal engagement with the media since taking office as NDPP. He stepped into the role after the tenure of Shamila Batohi.
Facing questions about the closely watched trial, Mothibi struck a cautious tone. He avoided discussing details of the evidence but signalled confidence in the prosecutors handling the case.
“I have been briefed sufficiently to indicate that there are prospects of success,” he said.
The comments add fresh scrutiny to a case that has drawn intense public interest and repeated delays.
During the briefing, Mothibi also outlined his priorities for the National Prosecuting Authority. He said the institution must rebuild public trust and strengthen its ability to prosecute complex and high profile crimes.
The Meyiwa trial remains one of the most closely followed criminal proceedings in South Africa, with many still demanding answers about what happened on the night the Bafana Bafana captain was killed
Responding to questions about whether the public could expect progress in the Meyiwa case, Mothibi said one of the NPA’s priorities would be addressing case backlogs.
“Some of the cases – I mean, you use the word ‘dragging’, which has a connotation that the case may have been unjustifiably on the roll or not being completed,” he said.
Referring specifically to the Meyiwa trial, Mothibi said he had briefly engaged with the prosecution team during a visit to the Gauteng local division of the High Court in Pretoria, where the case is being heard.
“The prosecution team has really briefed me sufficiently to indicate that there are prospects of success.”
“I’ll put it that way. Of course, that is a prosecution process that is underway,” he told the media.
“I would really not want to go into detail on that. But the prosecution has briefed me that they are doing their part and working hard – really hard – despite the complexities and the amount of evidence they must go through.
“They are doing their part, and I would like to urge the public to give them the space and the opportunity to prosecute without fear, favour or prejudice,” he added.
Meanwhile, the five men accused of killing Meyiwa returned to the dock at the Pretoria High Court on Thursday.
Meyiwa, a former captain of Bafana Bafana and goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates, was shot and killed in October 2014 at the home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus.
It has been nearly 12 years since the incident.
Five men are currently on trial for the murder. They are:
-Muzikawulahlelwa Sibiya (Accused 1)
-Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi (Accused 2)
-Mthobisi Prince Mncube (Accused 3)
-Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa (Accused 4)
-Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli (Accused 5)
The accused face charges including murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition.
simon.majqdibodu@iol.co.za
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