The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has declined the police’s request for a warrant of arrest for South African singer Kelly Khumalo. In a groundbreaking development, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday, 24 January, that Khumalo is alleged to be the mastermind behind the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, a former South African football captain.

 

Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator in the case, provided crucial evidence during the court proceedings. Accused one and two, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi, reportedly implicated Khumalo as the person who ordered the hit on Meyiwa.

Cellphone analysis revealed that Khumalo’s cellphone memory album contained a photo similar to that of a see-through bag filled with cash notes, placed in the same position as accused number three.

Gininda further alleged that Khumalo harbored animosity towards Meyiwa and had a motive to eliminate him. Despite these damning accusations, Khumalo remains free, and questions linger as to why she is not behind bars.

The police made efforts to arrest Khumalo in November 2020, including the application for a J50 warrant of arrest, which was, however, rejected by the NPA. According to Gininda, a decision was made at that time to indict accused one to five, and he refrained from disclosing further details regarding Khumalo’s case.

Legal expert Ulrich Roux clarified in an interview with Newzroom Afrika that while there is concerning evidence against Khumalo, she is not one of the five accused facing charges in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Roux emphasized that if incriminating evidence emerges during the trial, the state would have the option to press charges against Khumalo once the matter is finalized.

The ongoing legal saga surrounding Senzo Meyiwa’s murder continues to captivate public attention, with Kelly Khumalo’s alleged involvement adding a layer of complexity to the case. As the court proceedings unfold, the spotlight remains on the NPA’s decision not to approve the warrant for Khumalo’s arrest and the potential implications of the evidence presented during the trial.