Whispers have intensified around the puzzling demise of yet another witness in the murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa. Lesley Ngcatshe, a neighbor of the family home owned by Meyiwa’s girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, was expected to provide evidence of the events that occurred on the night Meyiwa died. Five individuals stand accused of the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper‘s murder, who was fatally shot on 26 October 2014.
The Night of Senzo Meyiwa’s Death
On that fateful night, Senzo Meyiwa visited his girlfriend’s mother’s residence in Vosloorus. In attendance were Kelly Khumalo, her mother Ntombi, sister Zandie, then-boyfriend Longwe Twala, and Senzo’s two friends, Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Thwala. Kelly’s two children, Christian and Thingo, were also present. Lesley Ngcatshe and his son Khaya heard gunshots from the attackers within the Vosloorus home. Together, they assisted in carrying Senzo’s body to his BMW X6 before he was transported to Botshelong Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.
The Mysterious Death of Lesley Ngcatshe
State Prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi reported that Lesley Ngcatshe had passed away two weeks prior, but the details surrounding his death remain a mystery. Lesley and his son Khaya heard gunshots from the attackers within the Vosloorus home. Lesley was anticipated to provide evidence of the events that occurred the night Senzo Meyiwa died.
The Mysterious Deaths of Other Key Witnesses
Ngcatshe’s death is not the only enigma surrounding this high-profile case. SAPS General Philani Ndlovu – one of the first responders – also passed away last year. TshisaLive reported that Ndlovu – the Gauteng former head of detectives – passed away following an “illness.” Prominent journalist Mzilikazi Wa Afrika has shed light on the mysterious deaths of two other key witnesses. In a tweet thread last year, he stated: “Two potential eyewitnesses, Thabang Makelane and Simphiwe Ngwenya, who were sitting on the street corner that night, are both dead. Simphiwe was shot, and Thabang was allegedly poisoned. Thabang’s girlfriend was told to clean his room where he died and throw away everything in it.”
Sunday World reported that Thabang was allegedly poisoned months after making a deposition linking the five suspects, currently on trial for Meyiwa’s murder, to the scene. Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo told the news outlet that there was no evidence to suggest Thabang’s death was related to the Senzo Meyiwa murder investigation. Meanwhile, IOL disclosed that Ngwenya died after being shot, with no arrests made in connection with his murder.
The Uncertainty and Unexplained Events
As the trial continues to unfold, the air of uncertainty and unexplained events thickens, leaving the public to wonder what other secrets remain buried within this high-profile case. With the enigmatic deaths of witnesses and unanswered questions that linger, the road to justice for Senzo Meyiwa seems paved with shadows and veiled truths.
