The long-running Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has hit yet another roadblock, with proceedings once again postponed—this time due to a dispute over legal fees between the defense and Legal Aid South Africa.
In a move that further fuels public frustration, the Pretoria High Court was forced to pause the case after Legal Aid refused to fund four weeks of preparation time requested by the defense for a Section 174 application, which seeks dismissal of charges due to lack of evidence. Instead, the agency offered only two hours—an offer deemed insufficient by the defense team.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng announced that the trial will resume on 15 August, granting the defense time to resolve the funding impasse.
This latest delay adds to an already prolonged legal saga surrounding the 2014 murder of Meyiwa, the beloved Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper. Now in its 11th year, the case has seen numerous setbacks, leaving many South Africans disillusioned with the pace of justice.
Five men stand accused in the high-profile case, which has become a symbol of the wider issues plaguing the country’s criminal justice system. As legal wrangling continues to overshadow courtroom progress, the quest for closure—for Meyiwa’s family, fans, and the nation—remains agonizingly out of reach.
