The High Court in Pretoria has postponed the Senzo Meyiwa trial to 22 April. This follows a two-month adjournment, granting defense counsel Charles Mnisi time to prepare to represent accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, who lost his lawyer, Thulani Mngomezulu, after his passing.

Sibiya, along with four others, is accused of murdering Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa in 2014. 

Mnisi, who also represents accused number 3, Mthobisi Mncube, informed the court that he was still not ready to proceed, citing the vast amount of work he needed to go through. He has been tasked with reviewing over 40,000 pages of court records to adequately prepare for cross-examining the lead investigating officer, Brigadier Bongani Gininda. 

“The court would know, and the state confirmed the amount of work I needed to cover. There were almost more than 40,000 pages. I’m not ready,” Mnisi stated. 

State prosecutor, George Baloyi, did not object to the request but expressed frustration at the delays. “It will save no purpose for the state to object if counsel says they are not ready. We express our frustration,” he said. 

Judge Ratha Mokgoatleng, although reluctantly granting the postponement, labeled Mnisi’s request as an abuse of the system, warning him that this would be the final postponement.

“If you’re not ready on this postponement, then your client will have to find other representation,” the judge said. 

Mnisi has alluded to the possibility of stepping down as Sibiya’s representative if he is not prepared by next week. The court will decide on 22 April whether Mnisi will continue representing Sibiya. 

WATCH: Senzo Meyiwa Murder Trial | Sibiya’s advocate wrapped over knuckles by Judge Mokgoatlheng