Thulani Mngomezulu, the lawyer representing accused number 1 Muzi Sibiya in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, has passed away.

Mngomezulu was not present in court for some weeks because of an unknown illness and had been following proceedings virtually.

He had joined the case during the commencement of the trial within trial, which looked into the admissibility of confession statements of his client and accused number 2, Bongani Ntanzi.

BREAKING

Here is the family statement confirming that Thulani #Mngomezulu, the lawyer representing accused 1 in the #SenzoMeyiwaTrial has passed away.
He had been hospitalized. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/44KaOIse4Q

— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) December 10, 2024

SABC News’ Chriselda Lewis reporting earlier said, “It’s been absolutely devastating news and I do understand that some of the defence lawyers are actually at Mngomezulu’s house at this particular time. If I could just read a statement that has just been sent to us. ‘It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and son. We confirm his untimely passing in the early hours of the 10th of December and he passed away in hospital’.”

In March of this year, Mngomezulu became Sibiya’s sole lawyer after Sibiya terminated the mandate of Sipho Ramosepele.

Mngomezulu was set to cross-examine the current witness, lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda, after the conclusion of Advocate Zandile Mshololo.