Meyiwa trial resumes with hope of making progress after proceedings delay

On Monday, the alleged gunman, Mthobisi Mncube, refused to come to court with unpadded leg irons, claiming they cause him pain.

The Senzo Meyiwa trial resumes in the Pretoria High Court with the hope of making progress after proceedings were delayed on Monday over the wearing of cushioned leg irons.

On Monday, the alleged gunman, Mthobisi Mncube, refused to come to court with unpadded leg irons, claiming they cause him pain.

The court heard that Correctional Services boss gave a directive that the cushions should not be worn after an inmate escaped from the Baviaanspoort Prison earlier in July.

Mncube refused to continue with court proceedings until the issue of his leg irons being cushioned was addressed.

His lawyer, Advocate Charles Mnisi, told the court that he was in pain caused by the iron rubbing against his ankles, and he could not concentrate.

“I am not willing to validate what he is going through by simply standing up here. Mr Mncube is alright with him. If this court was to say that this trial should proceed despite the complaints that he is raising, then I am going to request that I be excused from representing Mr Mncube.”

After a lengthy adjournment, Correctional Services eventually agreed to allow all the accused to wear the cushions on their ankles, but this resulted in an entire court day being lost.

State Advocate George Baloyi told the court he has two more witnesses to call to the stand, which he hopes to do on Tuesday morning.