Suspect charged with Meyiwa murder

SenzoMeyiwa.

Meyiwa was killed on Sunday evening, at the age of 27, following an altercation involving two attackers at a property on the outskirts of Johannesburg in Vosloorus.

In a statement on Friday, the South African Police Service (SAPA) confirmed that Zenokuhle Mbatha, 25, had been arrested and charged in connection with the death.

Mbatha is set to appear in court again on November 11, while further information is being sought on other potential suspects.

The SAPA statement read: "Since the beginning of the week, we have questioned a number of people in connection with the murder of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates keeper, Senzo Meyiwa.

"Yesterday [Thursday], after receiving information about a number of suspects, we conducted an identity parade during which some of the witnesses positively identified one person.

"During consultation with the prosecution team, it was decided that this person should be arrested and charged on the basis of the positive identification by some of the witnesses. The matter was then placed on the court roll and heard this afternoon.

"The suspect, Zenokuhle Mbatha, a 25-year old, has been remanded in custody and will reappear in court on 11 November 2014. We are continuing with our investigations.

"Whilst we are pleased with the progress we are making and the overwhelming support from members of the public, there is still a lot of work to be done to finalise the investigation and ensure that we can link all suspects to the murder.

"We must emphasize that Mr Mbatha is regarded as a suspect at the moment and we therefore must allow due process of the law to take its course.

"Given the fact that our investigations are at a very sensitive stage, we will only be in a position to update the nation during a media briefing on Monday, 3 November 2014.

"There are still other suspects outstanding and we appeal to the public to continue providing information in support of the investigation."

On Monday, South African president Jacob Zuma had led calls for Meyiwa's killers to be found.

"The law enforcement authorities must leave no stone unturned in finding his killers and bring them to justice. Words cannot express the nation's shock at this loss," said Zuma.

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