Senzo Meyiwa trial: Kelly Khumalo dropped from women's festival
The organisers of an upcoming festival celebrating women have decided to remove Kelly from the line-up.
Kelly Khumalo will no longer be performing at the upcoming 'Tribute To Women' festival following new developments in the murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa.
The 'Asine' singer's name was mentioned in court during a recent testimony. A police data analyst told the court last week that a number linked to one of the suspects made at least two calls to one of Kelly's phones.
One of the calls was made several days before the Bafana Bafana star was gunned down at Kelly's mother's house in an alleged botched robbery in October 2014.
However, the analyst stated this week that the data analysis did not show evidence of a conspiracy to kill the footballer.
ALSO READ: Court hears no call to emergency services after Meyiwa was shot
There is no evidence of a conspiracy to kill Senzo Meyiwa. That's according to police data analyst Lambertus Steyn. Steyn looked into the devices of those inside the house on the night of the killing. The analyst previously testified that Kelly Khumalo received calls from one of… pic.twitter.com/Ef2XOw1IXn
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 1, 2023
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'Tribute To Women' organisers have stressed that Kelly is innocent until proven otherwise.
"We have noted, with concern, various comments on social media platforms and calls from many patrons of our festival. We respect the legal processes and wish to indicate that Ms. Kelly Khumalo is innocent until proven otherwise," a statement shared on Instagram read.
However, officials have decided to drop her from the line-up following the social media outcry.
"... in the interest of safeguarding our festival, management has taken the decision to relieve Ms. Khumalo of her obligations to perform at our festival this year to afford her and her team the time they require to deal with the issues emanating from the current court proceedings."
Some social media users applauded the decision. "If it was a man, same thing would have happened," one Instagram user wrote.
But others were upset that Kelly will no longer be performing.
"This is unfair though, I was really looking forward to her performance."
Kelly was set to perform alongside Amanda Black, Mafikizolo, Kabza De Small, and more at the festival.
ALSO READ: Cardi B throws mic at concertgoer who hurled drink at her
Five men have been charged in connection to Senzo Meyiwa's murder. Testimony is continuing in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
Kelly's sister Zandile 'Zandie' Khumalo, who was also present at the time of the footballer's death, has also given testimony in the case.
ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa trial: Zandie Khumalo writes letter to Ramaphosa
Main image credit: Instagram/@kellykhumaloza
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