Meyiwa murder case delay 'unacceptable' – Minister

Delays in the investigation of Senzo Meyiwa's murder are ‘unacceptable’, says Justice Minister Ronald Lamola. It's been five years since the football star was shot dead at then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo's mother's house in Vosloorus in an alleged botched armed robbery, notes TimesLIVE. The versions of those who were in the house, including those of Kelly and her sister Zandile Khumalo, have been questioned by the public and crime experts. Speaking on Newzroom Afrika, Lamola said the matter should have been finalised long ago. ‘From our side, the delay is not acceptable.’ The police and the NPA should stop squabbling about the matter and collaborate, he said. ‘I believe if they work closely together they will be able to crack the matter and be able to resolve it. The public doesn't care whether it's the police or the NPA. They need to put their heads together,’ Lamola said. The police and NPA have come under fire for their lack of action, with the Meyiwa family turning to AfriForum for help in prosecuting those believed to have been involved.

– TimesLIVE

The National Police Commissioner has tasked six top Eastern Cape detectives with cracking the case. A Daily Dispatch report says the case docket was transferred to investigators attached to the Eastern Cape commercial crime and anti-corruption units two weeks ago. A member of the investigating team said they were part of a national task team appointed by National Police Commissioner General Kehla Sitole to track Meyiwa’s killers. The investigator said the case was handed to the provincial team to ‘counter any influence’. The Daily Dispatch was told that the whereabouts of the docket had been a secret known to only a few in the police top brass. This was contrary to media reports, attributed to Police Minister Bheki Cele, that the case docket had gone missing. Yesterday, the head of the Commercial Crime Unit in the Eastern Cape, Brigadier Tony Perumal, confirmed he was commanding the investigating team. He said he had been appointed by Sitole as a ‘special adviser’ on the case. Pressed for more, Perumal said the investigation was ongoing. ‘Remember we came on board very late.’

Full Daily Dispatch report