BREAKING: Search underway for missing hat exhibit in Senzo Meyiwa murder trial
An intensive search is underway for a missing hat that forms part of the exhibits in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has heard.
A dramatic issue emerged during proceedings on Friday when the court was told that the whereabouts of the hat remain unknown and that efforts are underway to determine what happened to the exhibit.
The State confirmed that a search had been launched and was still ongoing.
An earlier search for the hat was unsuccessful.
Search for missing hat intensifies
The issue was raised as one of the matters potentially affecting the progress of questioning before the court.
The court was told that “an intensive search” was underway, with concentrated efforts being made to locate the hat.
The State subsequently confirmed the search and revealed that this was not the first attempt to find the exhibit.
An earlier search, conducted around the beginning of the case, failed to locate it.
Attention is now turning to the chain of custody and specifically to who collected the hat from the biology unit at the forensic science laboratory.
Investigators trying to establish who collected the hat
The State explained that the practice at the time was for a representative of a cluster to collect exhibits originating from that cluster from the forensic science laboratory and deliver them to the respective police station.
Authorities have now requested another search aimed at establishing who collected the hat from the biology unit.
They are also seeking an affidavit from the person who collected it.
That information could help establish what eventually happened to the exhibit.
The State told the court that it hoped to receive final information on the search later on Friday or, at the latest, early next week.
For now, however, the search remains ongoing.
Thabang Makaleni affidavits become second major issue
Proceedings also turned to two affidavits attributed to deceased witness Thabang Makaleni.
The defence indicated that it intends to make an application in terms of Section 3 of the Law of Evidence Amendment Act 45 of 1988 to use the two affidavits.
Makaleni has been mentioned during the proceedings, and the court heard that his death certificate had already been admitted into the record as an exhibit.
The defence argued that Makaleni is deceased and that the affidavits contain the necessary features of sworn statements, including signatures and certification by commissioners of oaths.
State opposes simply handing in affidavits
The State indicated that it would oppose the affidavits simply being handed into evidence.
Prosecutors argued that evidence is ordinarily tendered orally before court and that the affidavits would first have to be proven.
The State told the court that the police officers who took down the statements remain available and could be brought to court if required.
The defence, however, indicated that it did not intend to call the two officers and maintained that it would proceed with its application.
The dispute could therefore result in further legal argument over whether Makaleni’s statements can be admitted and relied upon in the trial.
Missing exhibit could affect proceedings
The missing hat remains the most immediate development before the court.
The court heard that the issue, together with the proposed application involving Makaleni’s affidavits, could hinder the progress of questioning.
Proceedings were nevertheless able to continue with other aspects while the parties awaited further information regarding the search.
The State has undertaken to communicate the outcome once it receives final information about the missing exhibit.
The development places renewed attention on the handling and movement of exhibits connected to one of South Africa’s most closely followed murder trials.
Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot and killed in Vosloorus in October 2014.
Five men are standing trial for his murder.
This is a developing story. MDNtv will continue following proceedings in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
