Thread by @ewnreporter

We are back in the Pretoria High Court for the #SenzoMeyiwaTrial

Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela will hand down a ruling on the live broadcast of the next witness’ testimony.
@motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial After Teffo's exit, Judge Maumela is now handing down judgement. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial Maumela: The court has to take the public interest into account in this case.
When all is said and done the court has to ensure that the interest of justice is taken into account. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial Maumela: the rights of witness number 1 as an individual are pitted against the rights of all others involved in this case. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwaTrial Maumela: The court has to maintain balance between the observance of freedom of press and the rights of an individual or even an accused person. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial Maumela: The court has to Harmonize the right of freedom of expression and the open justice principle and the right to a fair trial. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial Maumela: The position by members of the media proves to be weightier @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial Judge Maumela notes that there are parties who have an interest in this case but cannot make it to the court room

"It is for that reason that efforts ought to be done towards imposing lesser rather than greater restrictions" @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwaTrial Maumela: Such restrictions are bound to eat away at the credibility of our criminal justice system.

He says this may lead to members of the public taking the law into their own hands. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwaTrial Maumela: On the other hand the court has to consider that there is cause to consider that witness have a form of assurance that they will live to testify on another day. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial Maumela: The witness has participared on social media on this case, in so doing she placed her face out there which prompted public scrutiny in which she now claims to be harbouring apprehension. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial
Judge Maumela says to this day he does not know what threat the witness faces.

He says forbidding the broadcast of her voice will not be of any benefit. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwatrial Maumela: There is no demand for the beaming of her face. @motso_modise

#SenzoMeyiwaTrial Maumela: There has to be a firm understanding that the case is about the murder of Senzo Meyiwa and by extension relatives, supporters and those who held him dear. @motso_modise