Pretoria – One of the five men accused of murdering Bafana Bafana football star, Senzo Meyiwa, was denied bail on Friday by the Pretoria High Court.
Thirty-three-year-old Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, whose request to be freed on bail was turned down, and his four co-accused face charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstance, possession of an unlawful firearm and ammunition.
The other murder accused are Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, Sifokuhle Ntuli, and Mthobisi Mncube.
Meyiwa was the goalkeeper and captain for both Orlando Pirates football club and Bafana Bafana the South Africa national team when he was murdered on 26 October 2014.
The much-loved football star was fatally shot at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s family home in Vosloorus, Erkhuruleni.
Five people are on trial for Meyiwa’s murder. They are being held on remand.
Last year, on 13 October, accused number two – Ntanzi – brought his application before the court to be released on bail.
In his affidavit, Ntanzi told the court that he was not a flight risk and that he would not endanger the safety of the public if released on bail.
He also promised that he would not interfere with the administration of justice or threaten witnesses.
However, Advocate George Baloyi for the state, opposed his bail application.
Advocate Baloyi pointed to the investigating officer’s evidence in which he states that Ntanzi lied about his alibi, his bank account being frozen, and being assaulted by the police.
In addition, Advocate Baloyi told the court that Ntanzi has no verifiable address in Gauteng.
Judge Aubrey Ledwaba agreed that the accused failed to show the court any exceptional circumstances to warrant his release on bail.
Bail was denied.
The trial will resume on 2 May 2023.
