According to recent testimony by a Vodacom Expert, both Senzo Meyiwa and Kelly Khumalo’s phone numbers were detected at the same cell tower locations in Spruitview and Vosloorus on the night of Meyiwa’s murder.
Testimony on Cellphone Records
While presenting evidence under Section 205, which covers mobile phone records, Vythilingam explained that Vodacom retains cellphone records for a three-year period. She emphasized that core data cannot be altered, ensuring its integrity.
“The data provided to investigators is in PDF format to prevent any tampering,” Vythilingam explained, adding that she had received a police subpoena for this information.
Calls Linking Khumalo and the Accused
Discussing the phone numbers listed in the subpoena, Vythilingam highlighted two calls allegedly made by Fisokuhle Ntuli, the fifth accused, to a number registered to Khumalo.
“The first call occurred on August 2, 2014, lasting 110 seconds, to a number ending in 4358,” she stated. “The second call, lasting 98 seconds, was on October 15, 2014, at 17:33:57.”
Verification of Khumalo’s Number
Vythilingam confirmed that the 082…4358 number was registered to Kelly Khumalo on July 1, 2011. The registration was valid until January 1, 2015.
Integrity of the Forensic Data
State advocate Ronnie Sibanda questioned the reliability of the data, as the defence suggested it might be fabricated. Vythilingam responded confidently, “Core data is generated, stored, and communicated by a computer system and cannot be altered, manipulated, or tampered with.”
She reassured the court about the reliability of the data, noting that the integrity of core data is rigorously maintained.
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Phone Locations on the Night of the Murder
Vythilingam also revealed that on the night of October 26, 2014, when Meyiwa was killed, the phone numbers of Khumalo, Meyiwa, and Chicco Twala were all detected by the same cell towers in Spruitview and Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg.