Shaken, scared and allegedly wrongfully accused, the man suspected of killing Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa wants answers – and an apology.
Yesterday the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court confirmed that all charges against Zamokuhle Mbatha had been dropped and he was a free man.
The dreadlocked 27-year-old was charged with armed robbery and murder following his arrest two weeks ago. But, yesterday the state confirmed it did not have enough evidence to link him to the crime.
Shortly after his release from Boksburg prison yesterday, Mbatha told reporters of his ordeal after, he claims, he was wrongfully accused of killing the country’s soccer darling.
Mbatha held his head in his arms as sounds of Zulu prayer filled his family’s Vosloorus home on the East Rand, just minutes away from where Meyiwa died last month.
Meyiwa was shot in what is believed to be a botched robbery at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s family home last month. Police believe two men entered the house and stole a cellphone, while Meyiwa was shot after a scuffle broke out.
Mbatha was nabbed shortly after an identity kit picture was released and he was positively identified as a suspect in an identity parade with 11 other men.
“I want answers as to why I was accused … and I want the people who did this to come forward,” he said.
The Mbatha family is now demanding an apology from the police and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Nathi Mncube for the trauma they have been through.
Speaking outside the court, Mncube said forensic evidence “which recently came to light” left the NPA with questions and “so much discrepancy”, which warranted provisionally withdrawing charges against Mbatha.
Mbatha said he was uncertain about how he will reintegrate back into his community now that people have associated him with Meyiwa’s murder.
Mbatha’s sister, Lindiwe, said she and her cousins had been threatened on social media and the family has “lost our dignity”.
Mbatha’s lawyer, Mxolisi Ndwandwe, asked why police had arrested his client before conducting a thorough investigation.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Magistrate Daniel Thulare said that he understood the public’s anger and irritation when it came to murder and robberies in the country, but he added that justice should be administered “without fear, favour and prejudice”.
Prosecutor Gertrude Market told the court that further identity parades were imminent and the investigation into the murder and robbery was ongoing.
Man accused of killing Meyiwa wants answers
Yesterday the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court confirmed that all charges against Zamokuhle Mbatha had been dropped and he was a free man.
The dreadlocked 27-year-old was charged with armed robbery and murder following his arrest two weeks ago. But, yesterday the state confirmed it did not have enough evidence to link him to the crime.
Shortly after his release from Boksburg prison yesterday, Mbatha told reporters of his ordeal after, he claims, he was wrongfully accused of killing the country’s soccer darling.
Mbatha held his head in his arms as sounds of Zulu prayer filled his family’s Vosloorus home on the East Rand, just minutes away from where Meyiwa died last month.
Meyiwa was shot in what is believed to be a botched robbery at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s family home last month. Police believe two men entered the house and stole a cellphone, while Meyiwa was shot after a scuffle broke out.
Mbatha was nabbed shortly after an identity kit picture was released and he was positively identified as a suspect in an identity parade with 11 other men.
“I want answers as to why I was accused … and I want the people who did this to come forward,” he said.
The Mbatha family is now demanding an apology from the police and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Nathi Mncube for the trauma they have been through.
Speaking outside the court, Mncube said forensic evidence “which recently came to light” left the NPA with questions and “so much discrepancy”, which warranted provisionally withdrawing charges against Mbatha.
Mbatha said he was uncertain about how he will reintegrate back into his community now that people have associated him with Meyiwa’s murder.
Mbatha’s sister, Lindiwe, said she and her cousins had been threatened on social media and the family has “lost our dignity”.
Mbatha’s lawyer, Mxolisi Ndwandwe, asked why police had arrested his client before conducting a thorough investigation.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Magistrate Daniel Thulare said that he understood the public’s anger and irritation when it came to murder and robberies in the country, but he added that justice should be administered “without fear, favour and prejudice”.
Prosecutor Gertrude Market told the court that further identity parades were imminent and the investigation into the murder and robbery was ongoing.
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