Defence counsel for the first murder accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, has died.
His family confirmed his passing in a statement on Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and son. We confirm his untimely passing on the early hours of December 10, 2024, at a hospital in Vosloorus.
“In this time of grief, we ask for your compassion, space and time to congregate as a family to decide on the upcoming days. We thank you for the love and support in advance and ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers,” the family said in statement.
Mngomezulu had not been appearing in court for over a month due to illness.
He was representing accused number, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, who allegedly confessed to being part of the men that killed Meyiwa on October 26, 2014, while visiting his singer girlfriend Kelly Khumalo at her home in Vosloorus.
This year, in January, IOL reported that Mngomezulu allegedly faced charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, contravention of a protection order, and resisting arrest.
At the time, SABC reported that Mngomezulu’s charges date back to November 2022, after he had a domestic dispute with his wife.
The wife, who worked with him in the Meyiwa case, allegedly tried to withdraw the charges, but the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) refused to withdraw the charges.
In its report, the broadcaster said Mngomezulu allegedly bought petrol and wanted to burn his house with his wife and children inside.
Speaking to the SABC at the time, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that there was an ongoing case against Mngomezulu.
Mjonondwane added that Mngomezulu had made numerous attempts to fight off the charges, but the NPA deemed it fit to continue with the prosecution in an effort to protect the wife and children.
She added that Mngomezulu approached the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to fight the prosecution.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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