Pretoria High Court Rejects Bid in Meyiwa Case

• Dismissal of Section 174 Application in Meyiwa Case: The Pretoria High Court dismissed the application made by accused number 4, Mthokozisi Maphisa, ruling that sufficient prima facie evidence exists, requiring a response from the accused.
• Evidence Supporting the Prosecution’s Case: Key evidence includes testimonies from Constable Zungu and ballistic evidence, which the court considered sufficient to pursue a conviction against the accused.
• Charges Faced by the Accused: Mthokozisi Maphisa and his co-accused face multiple serious charges including murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, firearm possession, and ammunition possession related to the killing of Senzo Meyiwa.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the Pretoria High Court’s ruling dismissing the Section 174 application made by accused number 4, Mthokozisi Maphisa, in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. The accused had argued through his legal team that the state had no evidence linking him to the crimes

The Judge ruled that there is prima facie evidence which requires a response from the accused. The state opposed the application, submitting that sufficient evidence exists to pursue a conviction. Among the evidence presented was testimony from Constable Zungu, who confirmed being with the five accused on the day of the incident. Ballistic evidence provided by other witnesses also forms part of the case against them.

Maphisa, along with his co-accused Muzi Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, and Sifiso Ntuli, faces charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. They are accused of killing former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.

The NPA described the ruling as an encouraging step, noting that the state has now overcome a second hurdle in its pursuit of justice. The matter has been postponed to 22 September 2025 to allow the defense time to prepare their case.