After providing crucial evidence almost a year ago, ballistics expert Lt-Col Christian Mangena returned to the stand on Tuesday for cross-examination in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Mangena reconstructed the crime scene where Meyiwa was shot, as the five men accused of the murder are being tried in the Pretoria high court.
The defence consulted their ballistics expert before cross-examining Mangena. Defence advocate Thulani Mngomezulu disputed that Meyiwa was shot with a 9mm pistol and suggested the murder weapon was a revolver, linking Longwe Twala to the crime scene. Mangena’s ballistics evidence implicated Mthobisi Prince Mncube.
Despite challenges from the defence, Mangena stood by his findings, linking the gun found on Mncube to the one that killed Meyiwa. He testified about the trajectory of the bullet and the possible circumstances of the shooting. Mangena’s extensive experience in cases like that of Oscar Pistorius and Babita Deokaran added credibility to his testimony.
With his evidence under scrutiny, Mangena’s expertise in ballistics is pivotal in bringing justice to the murder of Senzo Meyiwa.
TimesLIVE