Legal experts are divided about whether the defence’s section 174 application for discharge will succeed, after the closure of the state’s case in the murder trial of football star Senzo Meyiwa.

While the defence argues there is insufficient evidence to continue, analysts agree that the state’s case has several weaknesses that the defence is likely to exploit when they argue their case from today to have the charges dropped against the five suspects.

TimesLIVE reports that these include a broken chain of evidence, contradictions in witness testimony and the state’s failure to call all the individuals who were present in the house at the time of the murder.

Meyiwa was shot dead in the presence of his then-girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, at her mother's home in Vosloorus in October 2014.

Also present were Kelly's sister Zandile, her boyfriend, Longwe Twala, the sisters' mother, Ntombi Khumalo, and two of Meyiwa's friends visiting from KZN.

The occupants claimed Meyiwa was killed by one of two intruders who barged into the home and demanded cellphones and money.

Mthobisi Mncube, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are on trial for Meyiwa's murder.

They have pleaded not guilty.

When the trial resumes today, the court is expected to hear whether the defence will proceed with its section 174 discharge application.

TimesLIVE notes that the decision is pending approval from Legal Aid SA, which is funding the defence.

Senior legal consultant Advocate Romeo Nthambeleni does not believe the defence's application will succeed. 

‘The state has brought enough evidence to be able to link the accused to the crime scene. The state has brought enough evidence for the court to actually consider that they have committed the offence that they are charged with. As far as I'm concerned, they will not be successful on section 174.'

Full TimesLIVE report