Sifiso 'Gwabini' Zungu has rejected claims by state witness Constable Sizwe Zungu that the five accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial gathered at his home on the day of the killing. Gwabini, testifying for the defense in Pretoria High Court, described the testimony as lies. The trial concerns the 2014 shooting of the Bafana Bafana captain at his former girlfriend's house in Vosloorus.
In the ongoing trial at Pretoria High Court, where five men face charges for the murder of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa, defense witness Sifiso 'Gwabini' Zungu strongly contested the account given by Constable Sizwe Zungu. Meyiwa was fatally shot on October 26, 2014, at Kelly Khumalo's residence in Vosloorus, on Gauteng's East Rand.
Constable Zungu, a key state witness, had earlier testified that all five accused—Muzi Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokozisi Ndlovu, and Fisokuhle Ntuli—met at Gwabini's place in the Basotho Hostel in Vosloorus on the day of the murder. He described a gathering involving talking, eating, drinking, and dancing, with people from their villages present. Zungu also claimed he handed his service pistol to Gwabini for safekeeping and later saw the accused return hurriedly that evening, with a firearm passed to Gwabini. He said he inspected the 9mm Z88 pistol by smelling its barrel due to suspicions and examined a .38 special revolver from Sibiya.
Under questioning by defense counsel Charles Mnisi, Gwabini dismissed these details outright. 'No, he’s telling lies,' Gwabini responded when asked about the alleged gathering and activities. He admitted knowing Sibiya as his cousin, the son of his mother's elder sister, and Ntanzi from shared village events like songs and dances, but denied knowing Mncube, accused of firing the fatal shot.
Gwabini, who is related to Constable Zungu, also rejected the firearm-related claims. 'Hai this person is telling lies,' he said regarding the pistol inspection. He revealed his own arrest in 2020 linked to the case, alleging police attempted to frame him by planting evidence.
Gwabini is scheduled to return to the stand on Tuesday morning to continue his testimony.