The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, a case that has gripped South Africa for years, has taken a potentially explosive turn, with allegations of perjury and witness endangerment threatening to derail the pursuit of justice for the slain Bafana Bafana captain. What initially appeared as a significant breakthrough in the investigation may now be crumbling, leaving the Meyiwa family and the nation in despair.
At the heart of this controversy is Absalom Zungu (67), a former miner from KwaZulu-Natal, who claims that Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator in the Meyiwa case, and his own son, Constable Skhumbuzo Zungu, have fabricated evidence and put his life at risk.
In 2019, there was a glimmer of hope when Constable Skhumbuzo Zungu reportedly convinced his father, Absalom, to provide a statement to Brigadier Gininda, implicating Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya (accused number one) and Bongani Ntanzi (accused number two) in Meyiwa's murder. However, Absalom now vehemently denies ever giving such a statement.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Sun, with the assistance of whistleblower Patricia Mashale and TikTok personality Njabulo Mlawuli, Absalom has accused Gininda and Constable Zungu of lying under oath and jeopardising his safety. He further alleges that his son is motivated by the prospect of a promotion within the police force.
Absalom claims he was astonished when he heard Gininda testify in court that he had provided a statement. He insists that no such statement exists and that Gininda's claims are entirely fabricated.
According to Absalom, the implications of Gininda's "false evidence" are dire. He now lives in constant fear, as Sibiya is his neighbour in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, while Ntanzi is a relative residing a few kilometres away in Nongoma. He maintains that he has no knowledge of their involvement in Senzo Meyiwa's murder.
Adding to his apprehension, Absalom fears that Gininda and Constable Zungu might attempt to silence him to cover up their alleged lies. As a result, on 8 July, Absalom took the step of opening an inquiry at the Newcastle Police Station, seeking protection and demanding accountability.
Absalom recounted a disturbing sequence of events, stating: "Why is Gininda putting me in danger and violating my rights? After my son testified during the trial, he phoned me and asked I meet him and Gininda in a secret place on one of the farms. He told me I must come alone and not tell anyone I’m going to meet them. The people I was with at the time warned me about the danger and I started to distance myself from Gininda and my son."
He further revealed that a meeting did take place with Gininda in Newcastle around 2022 or 2023, but he refused to provide a statement due to his growing distrust of Gininda. This distrust stemmed from his son's request to meet in a clandestine location, away from prying eyes.
“He called me telling me that the judge in connection with the Meyiwa murder wants me. And I met him accompanied by other people while Gininda was with a white lady. I was scared to go to a secret place with him," Absalom explained.
“I told him to go to the police station if he wanted to talk to me. At the police station, Gininda told me the judge wants me. He said the judge requested me to give testimony and he told me that he will hide me outside the country as he previously mentioned in phone calls,” he claimed, admitting that Gininda had indeed contacted him to solicit a statement and offered to hide him overseas, but he never complied.
Absalom expressed his bewilderment at Gininda's testimony, particularly the claim that there were witnesses present during their alleged meeting. "On the days I listened to Gininda’s testimonies, he said he picked me up at a certain place or I met him to do the evidence. He was testifying about people he claims were with him. He said there was Buthelezi, Makhubu and another Sotho guy whose name I can’t remember. I don’t know all those people," he stated.
“He said I wrote a statement confirming that I was the one who implicated accused one and two. I’m asking myself why the lawyers didn’t ask Gininda who the witness was because my son is on Gininda's side. If I signed that statement, Gininda must show me my fingerprint and signature on his statement. My signature might have been forged,” he said, questioning the veracity of the alleged statement and suggesting that his signature may have been forged.
Absalom further questioned why he was never asked to participate in an identity parade to identify the suspects. "I want to ask this question: the day the suspect appeared, Gininda said he knew nothing about Meyiwa’s killers. Why was I not called to court to point out the suspect?" he asked.
"No one is above the law. Gininda was supposed to issue a letter and send a driver so I could be in court to point out the suspects as he claims I told him about them. Who pointed out these suspects in court?" he added, highlighting the apparent inconsistencies in Gininda's account.
Absalom maintains that he has no knowledge of Senzo's killers, but claims his son informed him that Gininda had stated that whoever solves the case would be rewarded with a promotion.
“When the trial started, I heard my son give a shocking testimony. I was shocked that Skhumbuzo didn’t tell me what he was going to say. I was shocked that Gininda said he didn’t know the suspects and I asked myself how he could know them that day," Absalom stated, expressing his shock at his son's testimony and questioning Gininda's knowledge of the suspects.
“Gininda and my son are working together. Who told my son to testify because he and Gininda said they don't know the suspects? I’m confused and I’m asking this question even for the suspects. My son said he was called by the suspects. My question is why did the suspects call him knowing he is a cop? Why did Gininda accept Constable Zungu's testimony if he knows me?" he continued, highlighting the apparent contradictions in the testimonies.
"I also want to know why the court didn’t ask Gininda why I was not on the stand but instead it was my son, who is a public servant. Both Gininda and Constable Zungu claimed they got the information from me. They must not try to get a promotion using my name. The court should have stopped the matter and asked where Absalom Zungu was. Who signed the statement,” Absalom asserted, demanding answers from the court regarding his absence from the witness stand and the validity of the alleged statement.
He vehemently denied claims that he provided his statement to Gininda in private due to safety concerns.
With his life seemingly hanging in the balance, Absalom has made a desperate plea for protection and accountability. “Gininda has taken my life. If I die today, it will be Gininda and my son, who is a cop,” he declared.
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that Absalom had opened an inquiry at the Newcastle police station on 8 July.
At the time of going to press, National police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe was unavailable for comment. Her phone went unanswered, and she did not respond to WhatsApp messages.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokeswoman Lizzy Suping directed Daily Sun to contact the South African Police Service (SAPS) for comment.
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