South Africans following the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial must be confused about the authorities' seeming lack of interest in investigating more closely his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, whose name keeps popping up in evidence.
References have repeatedly surfaced regarding Khumalo's alleged association with the five men accused of the murder. Cellphone records seemed to suggest this connection, and now the alleged confessions of at least two of the accused appear to reinforce these claims.
Many South Africans who have long demanded action from the police to bring the killers to justice now ask why Khumalo remains free. During Thursday's proceedings at the high court in Pretoria, Brig Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator and a seasoned policeman, revealed that though the police sought Khumalo's arrest, an unsigned application for a J50 warrant of arrest from the National Prosecuting Authority obstructed their efforts.
If Khumalo is indeed innocent and stands to be cleared, the NPA and the police should prepare themselves for a hefty lawsuit given that Khumalo's reputation as an internationally acclaimed artist has taken a beating for years on end due to this case.
Given the accumulation of evidence, it would have been reasonable for the NPA to push for Khumalo's appearance in court. As the investigation into Meyiwa's death moves ahead, it becomes evident that there may be more to this matter than meets the eye, raising concerns about the decision-making behind the NPA's reluctance to look more closely at Khumalo.
Though Khumalo maintains her innocence, text messages between her and her sister have suggested discord in her relationship with Meyiwa. Khumalo's conduct throughout the trial, including her decision to appear in court via her lawyer with a “watching brief”, has raised questions about her knowledge of the revelations the nation has only now come to know of.
The unresolved nature of the matter raises broader questions about the impartiality of justice in South Africa. Should the investigation conclude without definitive answers regarding Meyiwa's murder or Khumalo's alleged involvement, it would suggest that justice isn't blind but rather influenced by factors such as social status or influence.
If Khumalo is indeed innocent and stands to be cleared, the NPA and the police should prepare themselves for a hefty lawsuit given that Khumalo's reputation as an internationally acclaimed artist has taken a beating for years on end due to this case. If indeed she is not guilty, she too has been a victim of the justice system that has failed to have her defend herself and clear her name. The 10 years since Meyiwa's death only intensify the need for closure.
His family, including his mother, children and estranged wife Mandisa, deserve answers. The trial has illuminated deficiencies within our police and justice system and raised questions on whether equality truly prevails before the law for all South Africans.
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