The much-anticipated testimony of slain Orlando Pirates Senzo Meyiwa's friend Tumelo Madladla, set tongues wagging and raised eyebrows yesterday. Since Meyiwa's murder trial began, there have been numerous calls for witnesses who were in the house when Meyiwa was killed to be called to court to give their own version of events.
Read More: Tumelo Madlala's Testimony Leaves Mzansi In Complete Awe
Read More: Tumelo Madlala's Testimony Leaves Mzansi In Complete Awe
Tumelo who is one of the many eyewitnesses, finally took a stand yesterday. His testimony attracted a lot of attention from the public and the media. He recounted events leading to the fatal shooting of the former Orlando Pirates player. Tumelo recalled how a scuffle broke out between Meyiwa and one of the intruders. He said Senzo pinned the intruder against the kitchen walls moments before he was tragically killed.
The former Orlando Pirates goalie was brutally murdered at the height of his career in Vosloroous, in 2014. The incident happened at the home of his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in what was alleged to be a botched robbery gone wrong.
There were several people in the house during the fateful night of Meyiwa's murder, including Kelly’s sister Zandi Khumalo, Longwe Twala, and Meyiwa’s friends Madlala from KwaZulu-Natal, as well as Mthokozisi Twala and Kelly’s two small children.
Tumelo recalled how Kelly Khumalo who was seated next to Meyiwa constantly changed positions in the house. He also recounted what happened after the intruders stormed inside the house.
“It was in the evening, we went and sat in the dining room, and they introduced Kelly’s mother. Senzo introduced me, and he told me it was the mother of his woman and the one looking after the baby.
When we were drinking, food was being prepared. We watched football, and Chelsea and Manchester United were playing. After a while, a man arrived at the house. As time passed, Senzo told me who that gentleman was, and it was Longwe Twala.
On the one couch sat Gladness, Longwe, and Zandi, and on the other, myself, Mthoko and Senzo, and Kelly at times. But Kelly was not seated in one place. She would also seat on the floor.
Kelly came [outside where they were smoking] and asked if we were planning to leave. Senzo was receiving many calls at the time, but I don’t know who he was talking to. And after that, we went back to the dining room.
The person who came in was carrying a firearm and he had dreadlocks. This person was wearing a jacket. I don’t know whether it was caramel or brown
The person who came in was carrying a firearm and he had dreadlocks. This person was wearing a jacket. I don’t know whether it was caramel or brown
The person was short and had big eyes. That’s what I can recall. That person did not say a lot. When I got up, I saw a second guy in the kitchen because Senzo was holding this guy’s right hand and pressing him against the wall.
The one that came in first was being assaulted by Kelly, Kelly’s mother and Zandi because I think Zandi was carrying my crutches. I was on crutches [at the time]
As I came out, I could hear everyone calling out Senzo’s name. When I went straight to the dining room, I found Senzo laying next to where Kelly’s mother was seated — next to the couch and the TV stand,” he told the court.
Tumelo's testimony has left Mzansi with mixed reactions. Others are accusing of him lying, they claim he's contradicting himself in his testimony.
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