Meyiwa trial DNA resources
From left to right; the interpreter and the five men accused of murdering Senzo Meyiwa (Mthobisi Mncube is the one in the middle wearing a white top) Image: Nokwanda Ncwane/The South African.

Home » DNA evidence excludes ALL accused from Senzo Meyiwa murder scene

DNA evidence excludes ALL accused from Senzo Meyiwa murder scene

Forensic analyst Captain Masetla testified that the five accused are excluded from the DNA swabs taken at the Senzo Meyiwa murder scene.

11-10-23 10:14
Meyiwa trial DNA resources
From left to right; the interpreter and the five men accused of murdering Senzo Meyiwa (Mthobisi Mncube is the one in the middle wearing a white top) Image: Nokwanda Ncwane/The South African.

Forensic analyst Captain Mmampshedi Masetla has excluded the five men accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa from the DNA swabs taken at the Vooslorus where Meyiwa was shot and wounded on 26 October 2014.

Masetla revealed this as he testified at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday, 10 October.

As previously reported by The South African, Meyiwa was shot and wounded at the home of his girlfriend and singer Kelly Khumalo on 26 October 2014 in Vosloorus in an alleged botched robbery.

Previous witnesses have testified that two intruders entered the Khumalo house and demanded cellphones and money. One of the accused wore a hat which he allegedly left behind when they left the crime scene.

ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa trial: Zungu wraps up testimony sticking to his guns

On Tuesday, Masetla testified that swabs were taken at the crime scene and were matched against all the five accused.

The analyst said for a conclusive determination to link a person to a DNA, the person must be read in all the regions of the DNA emphasising that reading a person in one region does not mean they are a contributor to that sample.

Some of the five accused were read out in some regions of the sample however based on the fact that they could not be read out in all 16 regions Masetla concluded that the five accused are excluded from the DNA swabs and hat taken at the Senzo Meyiwa murder scene. However, the court heard that the DNA evidence provided two profiles, meaning it might have been worn by two men or a man and woman.

ALSO READ: Meyiwa trial: DNA profile on suspect’s hat is of a woman

Senzo Meyiwa accused dna
The five men accused of the murder of Senzo Meyiwa. Image: Nokwanda Ncwane /The South African

Five men are on trial for the murder of the soccer star, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli. They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. All the five men pleaded not guilty.

The trial continues.

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