The defence is expected to call a new witness when the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumes in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.
The development follows the conclusion of testimony by Sergeant Nthabiseng Leletlhaka, who is stationed at Villieria Police Station and completed her evidence-in-chief on Friday.
The defence had intended to call another witness before the adjournment, but the court was informed that the witness's commanding officer had refused to release him to testify without a court order.
Advocate Sipho Ramosepele, representing accused Bongani Ntanzi, told the court that the witness is a key figure in the defence case as he investigated a separate matter in which Ntanzi's name had surfaced.
Ntanzi is one of five men standing trial for the 2014 murder of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa. Meyiwa was shot and killed at the Vosloorus home of his then-girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo.
Addressing the court, Ramosepele argued that the witness should be compelled to testify through a subpoena issued by the court.
"My Lord, the witness is compellable. Section 179 deals with these issues for the witness to be subpoenaed by the court," Ramosepele submitted.
The trial, which has drawn widespread public attention over the years, is expected to continue with further defence witnesses as proceedings resume.