Accused Sibiya in Meyiwa murder complains of jail conditions

Accused number one in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Muzi Sibiya seen in the dock.

Accused number one in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Muzi Sibiya, has complained that unfavourable prison conditions are affecting his ability to concentrate during court proceedings.

Sibiya’s legal counsel, Charles Mnisi, told the High Court in Pretoria that his client, who is being held alone in a cell, is allegedly denied time to exercise and is forced to bathe with cold water daily.

The concerns were raised as accused two Bongani Ntanzi’s cross examination continues in the trial of five men charged with the 2014 murder of Bafana Bafana captain.

Mnisi explains the restrictions.

“He’s informing me that he’s in a cell where he is staying alone, and he’s been captive there 24 hours. However, in terms of the regulations, and the cultures that, in such circumstances, a person would be entitled to a one hour right to go and do some exercises. However, he is informing me that with him, that has not been happening for quite some time. And, to that is the fact that, frankly, when they are taking a shower, or a bath, they use cold water on a daily basis. So, he’s instructing me that, that affects him in his capacity to concentrate in this trial.”