The drama surrounding the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continues to unfold, with the latest twist involving the arrest of Longwe Twala, son of renowned music producer Sello "Chicco" Twala.
Longwe, who has been embroiled in controversy surrounding the case, has now been arrested for allegedly breaking into his father's studio and stealing music equipment worth thousands of rands.
The arrest, confirmed by Chicco Twala himself, has reignited public interest in the ongoing Meyiwa murder trial. Chicco Twala, in a statement, expressed his frustration and anger, stating that he would no longer remain silent about his son's alleged drug addiction and criminal activities.
"Good or bad publicity I don’t care. I won’t sit and watch a drug addict continuously stealing from me and be silent," said Twala in a statement.
"Yes, I can confirm that when I was in the USA, my son Longwe and his brother Sello Twala colluded and stole my equipment in the studio. Longwe whom I chased away a while ago because of his drug addiction jumped the high walls, broke into my studio, and stole my stuff. I saw the likes of the late Hope Zinde, and many parents killed by their own flesh and blood because of this drug addiction. Him and his younger brother have been stealing from me for a long time. Hence, I decided that enough was enough… Let them rot in jail," said Twala.
A source close to the incident confirmed that a case has been opened at the Douglasdale police station.
"Case was opened at Douglasdale police station. They broke into their father’s studios while on drugs and stole equipment worth thousands," said the source.
Longwe Twala's arrest comes amidst the ongoing Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, where he has been a central figure in the case. Last week, during court proceedings at the Pretoria High Court, Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, lawyer for accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, made a bombshell claim that a witness would testify that Longwe shot and killed Meyiwa with his father's 9mm parabellum semi-automatic pistol.
State witness and ballistic expert Lt-Col Christian Mangena had previously testified that Twala's gun did not match the 9mm bullet found at the crime scene where Meyiwa was gunned down.
However, Mngomezulu stated that he would present a witness who would claim that Longwe shot himself in the foot during a struggle with Meyiwa on the night he was killed, and that this struggle ultimately led to Meyiwa's death.
Mngomezulu further alleged that Longwe's ankle wound became infected, requiring medical attention from the late Dr Mbatsane, who referred him to Dr Modise at South Rand Hospital for the removal of the bullet.
These claims, while yet to be proven in court, have added another layer of complexity to the already intricate case. The murder of Senzo Meyiwa, the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, has been a source of national grief and has generated intense public scrutiny. Meyiwa was shot and killed at the house of the mother of his then girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, on October 26, 2014.
Five men are currently on trial for Meyiwa's murder: Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli. They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Longwe Twala's arrest, coupled with the ongoing legal proceedings in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, has raised numerous questions about his involvement in the case and the potential impact his arrest could have on the ongoing trial.
