Defense puts the state ballistics expert’s theoretical understanding to the test

JOHANNESBURG – The defence in the trial of Senzo Meyiwa questioned the state's ballistics expert about his theoretical understanding and put his knowledge to the test.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Mangena was back in the witness box for cross-examination on Tuesday.

The court focused on his diagrams showing the links he had drawn between the evidence bullet found at the scene of the footballer's murder and the test bullets he had fired from the gun of one of the accused, Mthobisi Mncube.

According to Mangena, the bullet that killed Meyiwa was fired from Mncube's gun.

However, Mncube's lawyer Charles Mnisi questioned Mangena's application of ballistic principles that led him to this finding.

“Sir, with all due respect and the greatest respect I have for the experts, I would like to point out that you were completely wrong. And as the matter progresses, it will become clear that you were completely wrong.”