Meyiwa murder trial: Dentist says Ntanzi never reported any assault

Bongani Ntanzi, accused of killing former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, in the dock. File photo.
Bongani Ntanzi, accused of killing former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, in the dock. File photo.
Image: Veli Nhlapo

One of the five men accused of the murder of footballer Senzo Meyiwa in October 2014, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, showed no sign of ever having had a gold tooth and there were no signs he had been assaulted. 

Dentist Dr Thabang Hlokwe was the last state witness on Friday in the trial-within-a-trial in the Pretoria high court which aims to determine the admissibility of confessions allegedly made by Ntanzi and co-accused Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya.

The court previously heard the two confessed to knowing the circumstances of Meyiwa's murder in Vosloorus. However, they claimed the confessions were made under duress and alleged they were beaten and tortured by police.

Eyewitnesses at the Meyiwa murder scene said one intruder had a gold tooth.

Hlokwe examined Ntanzi in June 2020 in Tlhabane, North West. He said on that day, Ntanzi, who was handcuffed, was escorted by a police officer and a prison warden.

Hlokwe added it was rare to encounter prisoners in the district.

The police officer who brought Ntanzi said he had come for an oral examination and should be checked for a gold tooth.

Hlokwe  said Ntanzi appeared normal and had no abnormalities. He said Ntanzi's blood pressure was normal and the examination of his skull and mouth seemed normal, showing no sign of trauma. 

The examination, from the waist up, included inspection of Ntanzi's head, oral cavity, face, nose and neck. 

Prosecutor George Baloyi told Hlokwe Ntanzi claimed to have been electrocuted, tubed and assaulted a few days before the examination. 

“From what I could see on the surface, I couldn't see any sign of electrocution, unless it was underneath clothing,” Hlokwe replied. “There were no marks that he was choked and on the face, there were no lacerations. It was a normal person who was not in a severe altercation.”

Ntanzi also did not say he was assaulted. 

Hlokwe said while Ntanzi conversed with an assistant in isiZulu, who was translating, he only appeared worried, rather than a person in pain.

The matter continues as the defence starts cross-examination.

TimesLIVE


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