Johannesburg - Top private investigator Rick Crouch thinks the investigation into the murder of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa can now be described as a “cold case”.
Crouch said a cold case arises when an investigation yields no results because of a lack of sufficient evidence. In Meyiwa’s case, police had not made a breakthrough since he was killed on October 26, 2014.
“Police have got nothing in their investigation,” Crouch said.
He added that in some countries, such as the US, they have police units that specialise in solving only cold cases. Crouch, a certified criminal investigator and a certified computer forensic examiner, said: “With murder cases you generally have a 48-hour window to develop your leads. After the first 48 hours every hour that goes by without leads generated or a suspect in custody makes it less likely that the case will be solved.”
A TV programme, The First 48, illustrates this.
Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Major-General Sally de Beer said in an email: “As stated previously, when there is a breakthrough in the investigation the South African Police Service will advise the family and the community accordingly.”
Investigators in the case were asking for more time, but also gave the impression that the investigation had hit a wall.
Meyiwa was killed at the family home of his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in what has been described as a robbery gone wrong.
At the time, it was alleged that two men entered the house and demanded cellphones, money and other valuables.
Those present in the house on the night of the murder were Kelly, her mother Ntombi, sister Zandi, Longwe, the son of music producer Chicco Twala, and the goalkeeper’s friends, Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Twala.
Anyone with any information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators should contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.