In the ongoing trial of the Senzo Meyiwa murder case, lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda vehemently denied allegations that he offered accused Bongani Ntanzi R3 million for a confession implicating “the right people” in the former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper’s killing. This revelation came during a trial-within-a-trial at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
The court had previously heard that Meyiwa’s murder, initially believed to be a robbery gone wrong, was now being considered a contract killing. A day prior to Gininda’s cross-examination, an affidavit had named singer Kelly Khumalo as the individual alleged to have paid for Meyiwa’s murder.
During the cross-examination on Thursday, defense Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, representing accused Bongani Ntanzi, informed Gininda that his client accused him of offering the substantial sum and claimed to have been assaulted for a coerced confession.
Ntanzi, the accused, denied signing any confession document on June 19, 2020, and asserted that he was assaulted at various locations to obtain a confession. Mngomezulu contended that on June 21, 2020, Gininda apologized to Ntanzi for the alleged assault, offered the large sum, and sought a confession.
In response, Gininda expressed shock at the bribery accusation, stating, “I’ve never heard of a case where the state or police officers offer accused persons R3 million. I’ve never heard of it. It’s absolutely not true, it’s a lie.” He clarified that there was no budget of R3 million available to his unit at the time.
Gininda explained the sequence of events, emphasizing that Ntanzi willingly cooperated on June 18 and made a voluntary confession the next day. He rejected the notion of making promises or offering money for the confession, stating, “Even if it was available, why would I do that?”
The lead investigator highlighted the absence of any indication of assault in the Occurrence Book entry and asserted that Ntanzi did not raise any complaints of mistreatment during their subsequent meeting on the evening of June 19, 2020.
Gininda concluded, “The confession was concluded just before midday, and there was no visible injury on him. I did not witness any assault either.” The trial continues as the court scrutinizes the circumstances surrounding the confession and potential coercion.