The High Court in Pretoria has reserved judgment until Monday on whether prosecutors can question Muzi Sibiya about co-accused Bongani Ntanzi's confession in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Defence lawyers objected, citing legal provisions that bar using one accused's confession against another. The ruling could influence how evidence is presented in the high-profile case.
The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, ongoing in the High Court in Pretoria, reached a procedural hurdle on November 7, 2025, when the court reserved judgment on the state's request to cross-examine accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, regarding statements allegedly made by accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi.
Sibiya, along with four co-accused, faces charges related to the 2014 killing of the Bafana Bafana captain at the Khumalo home in Vosloorus. Ntanzi reportedly made two confession statements after his arrest in June 2020, outlining roles in what prosecutors describe as a contract killing. One statement portrays Sibiya as the lookout outside the home during the intrusion.
Defence teams strongly opposed the questioning. Charles Mnisi, representing Sibiya, invoked section 219 of the Criminal Procedure Act, stating, “A confession cannot be used against another accused person. The law is very clear.” Sipho Ramosepele, for Ntanzi, emphasized that any conspiracy must be proven separately. Zithulele Nxumalo, defending accused four Mthokozisi Maphisa, warned, “This is the attempt by the state to force open the door for the admission of such a statement as executive statements against the co-accused. And this will undermine the integrity of the court and should be discouraged at all costs.” Advocate Zandile Mshololo, for accused five Fisokuhle Ntuli, called the move unconstitutional, noting sections 217 and 219 protect against such use.
State prosecutor George Baloyi countered by highlighting other evidence, including Constable Zungu's testimony on the accused's associations at a hostel, Sibiya's own admissions and crime scene pointing out, and witness accounts from inside the house. He said, “The pointing out and his own confession that the accused spells out the role that he played, said his role was that of a lookout.”
The court will deliver its judgment on Monday, potentially affecting the trial's evidence admissibility and progression.