Court Orders Removal of Senzo Meyiwa Murder Suspect from Solitary Confinement
The Pretoria High Court has ordered that Mthobisi Prince Mncube, one of the men accused in the 2014 murder of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa, be urgently removed from solitary confinement.
Mncube, along with co-accused Fisokuhle Ntuli, filed an urgent application with the court, requesting release from solitary confinement imposed by the Department of Correctional Services.
On Tuesday, the court ruled in favour of Mncube, while Ntuli’s application was dismissed due to a lack of urgency.
Judge Jan Swanepoel noted that Mncube’s prolonged isolation in the C-Max section of Kgosi Mampuru II prison was negatively impacting his mental health.
Mncube’s legal team also emphasised that he has been held in solitary confinement for over four years.
Swanepoel declared any further solitary confinement of Mncube unlawful, though he will remain in maximum security and continue to stand trial.
The court found no evidence that removing Mncube from solitary would compromise prison operations.
Senzo Meyiwa was fatally shot in 2014 while visiting the home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus.
Present at the time were Kelly, her sister Zandile, their mother Ntombi Khumalo, Longwe Twala, Meyiwa’s friends Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala, as well as Kelly’s son, Christian, and her daughter with Meyiwa, Thingo.
Five men—Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, Ntuli, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, and Bongani Ntanzi—are charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in connection with Meyiwa’s death. All have pleaded not guilty.