Senzo Meyiwa's murder mastermind now targets lead investigator Brig Bongani Ginida for exposing Kelly Khumalo's role in Senzo's DEATH!

PRETORIA – The brutal murder of Senzo Meyiwa, the beloved Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain, continues to cast a long shadow over South Africa, nearly a decade after his death. The case, fraught with twists, turns, and allegations of cover-ups, has now taken a chilling turn, with the lead investigator, Brigadier Bongani Gininda, reportedly the target of an assassination plot.

Senzo Meyiwa was more than just a footballer; he was a national icon. Born on September 24, 1987, in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, Meyiwa rose through the ranks to become one of South Africa's most celebrated goalkeepers. His talent, dedication, and charismatic personality endeared him to fans across the country. He captained both Orlando Pirates, one of South Africa's most popular football clubs, and the national team, Bafana Bafana, embodying the hopes and dreams of a nation passionate about football.

His life was tragically cut short on October 26, 2014, when he was shot and killed at the home of his then-girlfriend, pop star Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, a township east of Johannesburg. The circumstances surrounding his death have been shrouded in mystery and controversy ever since. Initially reported as a robbery gone wrong, the narrative has shifted dramatically over the years, with allegations of a cover-up and the involvement of individuals close to Meyiwa surfacing.

The investigation into Meyiwa's murder has been plagued by delays, inconsistencies, and accusations of incompetence. For years, the case remained cold, with no arrests made and little progress reported. This lack of progress fueled public outrage and suspicion, with many believing that powerful forces were deliberately obstructing the pursuit of justice.

However, in 2020, a breakthrough finally occurred with the arrest of five men: Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphosa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli. They were charged with murder, attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition. Their trial, which began in 2022, has been a rollercoaster of conflicting testimonies, forensic evidence disputes, and dramatic revelations.

Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the head of the SAPS cold case unit, took over the investigation and is credited with bringing the five accused to justice. However, his involvement has now placed him in grave danger. According to reports, Gininda has been warned to be vigilant as he is believed to be the next target of an assassination plot orchestrated by the real mastermind behind Meyiwa's death, who remains at large.

The disturbing development comes as Gininda's personal security has been compromised. His private information, including his home address and personal telephone number, was leaked and posted online, making him vulnerable to potential attacks. Furthermore, he has reportedly received recorded death threats from unknown individuals and numbers, further escalating the sense of urgency and concern for his safety.

A source within the SAPS, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that "Gininda started getting death threats and being targeted when it was revealed that he was the lead investigator of the Meyiwa murder case. Instead of giving him flowers, he has been getting death threats."

Despite the looming danger, Gininda has displayed remarkable bravery while testifying and being cross-examined in court. His unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth has earned him both admiration and resentment, making him a target for those who seek to protect the individuals responsible for Meyiwa's death.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is taking the threats against Gininda extremely seriously and has beefed up his security. Masemola has also issued a stern warning, stating that anyone who targets Gininda or other senior officials by posting their personal information online will face the full force of the law. This strong stance underscores the gravity of the situation and the determination of the authorities to protect those involved in bringing Meyiwa's killers to justice.

Sunday World has reported that the Hawks, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, are actively investigating the threats against Gininda and have already extended their inquiries to the Free State and Western Cape in pursuit of the suspects. This demonstrates the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the threats and their commitment to bringing those responsible to justice.

"The last people who got into the police system and retrieved Gininda's personal information have already been identified and statements are being collected from them," the source confirmed, indicating that progress is being made in the investigation.

When approached for comment, Gininda remained tight-lipped, stating, "My focus is on the trial right now, and I don't speak to the media about my personal life." This response reflects his dedication to the case and his determination not to be distracted by the threats against him.

The threats against Gininda coincide with his explosive testimony at the high court in Pretoria, where he revealed his initial intention to arrest pop star Kelly Khumalo, Meyiwa's then-girlfriend, as the sixth suspect and charge her with conspiracy to murder. Gininda claimed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) did not approve his application for her arrest warrant, a decision that has been met with criticism and speculation.

Gininda also testified that Khumalo had sent a WhatsApp message to her sister, Zandile, a year before Meyiwa's murder, expressing her desire to "get rid" of him. This revelation has further implicated Khumalo in the murder and fueled calls for her to be investigated more thoroughly. Gininda went on to name Khumalo as the mastermind behind Meyiwa's death, a shocking allegation that has dominated headlines and sparked intense debate.

The court also heard that cellphone evidence could potentially prove that Khumalo had communicated with accused Mthobisi Mncube. Furthermore, Gininda revealed that Khumalo had communicated with another accused, Fisokuhle Ntuli, in the weeks leading up to Meyiwa's death, raising further questions about her involvement in the planning and execution of the murder.

Ntuli is accused of orchestrating Meyiwa's murder, while Mncube is alleged to have been the gunman who fatally shot the soccer star at Khumalo's mother's house in Vosloorus on that fateful night in October 2014.

However, another source within the police believes that while Khumalo may have been involved in Meyiwa's murder, she is not the "real mastermind." This source suggests that there is a more powerful figure pulling the strings behind the scenes, someone who has managed to evade detection thus far. "But if she is arrested, we strongly believe that she can lead us to the real mastermind who has been pulling the strings behind the scenes," the source stated. "We also believe that the real mastermind is the one behind Gininda's threats," further solidifying the theory that the threats are linked to the efforts to uncover the full truth about Meyiwa's death.

The investigation has also been complicated by the actions of former police clerk Patricia Morgan-mashale, who has been a vocal critic of Gininda and other police officers on social media. Morgan-mashale has allegedly been identified by police moles as "a useful tool" to smear Gininda and other officers, potentially acting as a pawn in a larger game to discredit the investigation and protect those responsible for Meyiwa's murder.

Morgan-mashale is currently facing multiple lawsuits from police officers who accuse her of defaming them on social media. One of the senior officers who has taken legal action against her is General Shadrack Sibiya, the deputy national police commissioner of crime detection, after she posted a series of "impugned statements" about him on her social media accounts.

She accused Sibiya of tampering with evidence at the Meyiwa murder scene, claiming that "he was the first one on the Senzo Meyiwa case." Morgan-mashale also posted that she has "evidence that there was no intruder on the night Senzo got killed," directly contradicting the official narrative of a robbery gone wrong.

In his court papers, General Sibiya stated that Morgan-mashale posted defamatory statements on her social media accounts that she received from a third party without verifying them. He has asked the court to order her to delete all the defamatory posts and issue an apology, seeking to protect his reputation and integrity from what he claims are false and malicious allegations.

Morgan-mashale also faces accusations of posting defamatory statements about Gininda, further highlighting her role as a vocal critic of the investigation and its key figures. "Patricia isn't a whistleblower but an information peddler who is hungry for publicity, and she has been defaming innocent people on social media in the name of blowing a whistle," another police officer, who requested anonymity, said, painting a picture of a disgruntled former employee seeking attention and potentially undermining the pursuit of justice.

The investigation into Senzo Meyiwa's murder remains ongoing, with the threats against Brigadier Gininda adding a new and dangerous dimension to the case. The trial of the five accused continues to unfold, with each day bringing new revelations and challenges.