[imagesource: Getty Images]

It’s not that often that a South African story gets the Netflix true-crime treatment.

We have sufficient source material, without a doubt, but our law enforcement efforts generally fail at every step.

In the case of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain Senzo Meyiwa, the streaming giant has stepped up to the plate. Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star premiered on Netflix on April 7 and the five-part series regularly features on our local Netflix top 10 rankings.

I couldn’t help but feel that it was a little all over the place, wrapping without any sort of consensus about what actually occurred. That does mirror what’s playing out in the courts as well, with allegations and counter-allegations creating a murky web of distrust and half-truths.

To add further fuel to the fire, reports City Press, “a key state witness” died under mysterious circumstances:

Brigadier Philani Ndlovu’s sudden death… could mark a dramatic turn in the state’s attempt to prove that the scene where the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was fatally shot had not been tampered with.

Image: Central News

Ndlovu [above] was among the first police officials to attend the scene at Meyiwa’s then girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother’s house in Vosloorus on October 26 2014.

Days earlier, defence advocate, Malesela Teffo had told the court that the lives of witnesses were in danger. He accused Ndlovu of tampering with the crime scene before chief evidence-collecter Thabo Mosia arrived.

Ndlovu would likely have been called as a state witness, but a source who spoke with City Press said he was taken to hospital last Tuesday after complaining about shortness of breath:

“He initially complained of dizziness and said he was unable to see properly. Later that day, his condition deteriorated and he was unable to breathe.”

That was contradicted by another account which stated that Ndlovu had refused to be taken to hospital, dying at home the following day.

In response to Ndlovu’s passing, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that he was “not regarded as a crucial witness” and his role at the crime scene was “limited”.

It seems odd that one of the first senior police officers to arrive at the crime scene wouldn’t be regarded as an important witness.

Law expert Dr. Llewellyn Curlewis isn’t buying that, telling SABC News:

“Every witness in a prosecution is very important, especially if the state must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The absence of this witness as a result of him passing on might have a huge impact on the state’s case.”

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said they have numerous other witnesses to call on and remain confident that they can convict the five men standing trial for Meyiwa’s murder.

[sources:citypress&sabc]