Defence wants Kelly Khumalo in court in Senzo Meyiwa murder trial

The defence in the murder trial of footballer Senzo Meyiwa has told the Pretoria high court an application will be brought to call singer Kelly Khumalo to the witness stand.

This after advocate Zithulele Nxumalo introduced Kelly's statement on the 2014 murder, reading it into the record, during the cross-examination of Kelly's sister Zandile Khumalo.

The prosecution said it did not intend to call her to court at this stage, prompting the defence lawyer's statement.

Kelly and Zandile were among the witnesses when Meyiwa was fatally shot in what was described as a botched robbery at the home of their mother Ntombi in Vosloorus.

Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are standing trial on charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. They have pleaded not guilty.

Cross-examination continues.

• When the trial restarted earlier this month, TimesLIVE reported that prosecutor George Baloyi outlined the structure of the case.

Baloyi said the state would start by calling witnesses who were in the house the night of the murder, and neighbours who would give evidence with the help of a photo album of the crime scene.

 The state would also lead ballistic evidence.

Forensic field officers and other officers who attended the scene, and two photographers, were on the witness list too.

Evidence from a cellphone analyst and private people to whom utterances were made by some of the accused would also be led.

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