A key Senzo Meyiwa murder accused has presented himself not as a perpetrator, but as a victim of police brutality, claiming that they tortured him for a confession. Taking the stand as the first witness for the defence, Sibiya displayed what he alleged were lasting injuries inflicted by officers, who he claims forced him to sign a confession under duress.
This testimony directly contradicts the state’s assertion that Sibiya voluntarily admitted to his role in the 2014 killing of the beloved Bafana Bafana captain.
The courtroom fell silent as Sibiya, one of four men accused of acting in common purpose to murder Meyiwa, revealed scars on his wrists. He stated that these were the result of being handcuffed and beaten during his arrest.
His account stands in stark opposition to earlier evidence given by Colonel Nhlanganyelwa Mbotho, who testified that Sibiya confessed willingly and showed no signs of harm. Sibiya firmly denied this version of events, insisting he was never informed of his legal rights and was coerced into signing a document he did not author.
ALSO READ: Elon Musk Blasts Trevor Noah Over Charlie Kirk Assassination Joke
Senzo Meyiwa Murder Accused Claims Police Tortured Him
Sibiya’s testimony took a darker turn as he detailed an earlier encounter with law enforcement in 2020. He claimed that officers forcibly removed him from his home and transported him to municipal offices in Vosloorus for interrogation about the high-profile case. It was there, he told the court, that the questioning escalated into torture.
“As I told them, I didn’t know anything about Senzo’s murder,” Sibiya stated. “One of them took a plastic bag and covered my nose with it, and I couldn’t breathe. As they were covering my nose, others were busy kicking me.”
This graphic allegation paints a picture of a violent attempt to extract a confession, which Sibiya insists he only signed to end the assault.
The heart of the matter lies in the direct conflict between the accused’s testimony and that of the police. Colonel Mbotho’s previous statement to the court was clear: Sibiya confessed of his own free will. However, Sibiya recounted a moment when he believed the Colonel saw the truth of his mistreatment. He told the court,
“Colonel Nhlanganyelwa Mbotho told the officers to unarrest my hands so I can sign. He was shocked when he saw the blood and wounds.”
ALSO READ: TV Star Loyiso Mangena Accused Of Infidelity and Control By Estranged Wife
This claim attempts to undermine the state’s evidence by suggesting a senior officer was a witness to his injuries. The proceedings were adjourned for the day after Sibiya expressed exhaustion and an inability to continue answering questions coherently.
The trial, which has captivated the nation for years, continues to uncover complex and troubling allegations. Meyiwa was shot and killed in October 2014 while visiting his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, at her mother’s home in Vosloorus. Sibiya, 42, is no stranger to the judicial system; he is currently serving a life sentence plus 80 years for a separate murder and robbery, and has a history of convictions for attempted murder and links to taxi violence. The trial resumes today.