Lusikisiki mass shooting suspects linked to murder of leading ANC politician

Suspects of the mass attack in Lusikisiki have been linked to the murder of a prominent ANC member in the OR Tambo district in the Eastern Cape.

The seven defendants returned to the bench at the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after abandoning their bail applications.

The defendants (Mzukisi Ndamase, 46, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, Aphiwe “AP” Ndende, 25, Lwando Antony Abi, 33, Bonga Hintsa, 31, Zenande Paya, 38, and Mawethu Nomdlembu, 36) face multiple charges including murder. It is located opposite. and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Lusikisiki mass murder mastermind’s demands rejected

During court proceedings, Ndamase, the alleged mastermind of the Lusikisiki massacre, made his own defense and requested the court to withdraw the murder charges against him.

Ndamase said he has been in prison since 2007 and has never been out.

However, senior prosecutor Nkululeko Mathenjwa said the statements of the seven accused were nothing new for the state.

He said the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial.

“We know what he’s talking about. And in the true legal sense of the word, it sounds like he’s making representations. I can now inform the court that his representations were not successful. The state will continue,” Mathenjwa said.

The prosecution informed the court that the defense was equipped with the contents of the file.

The case was then transferred to the Lusikisiki District Court, where the hearing will be held from 17 to 28 February 2025.

Meanwhile, Ndamase is scheduled to return to court on December 12.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Eastern Cape spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, this was for Ndamase to indicate whether he had reviewed the contents of the file and whether he would be ready to defend himself on the appointed hearing date.

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Lusikisiki mass murder suspect renounces bail

All suspects were selected in the previous hearing. waive bail applications and they face 18 charges, including murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The first suspect Makayathe was arrested On 7 October at his home in Mthmde Location, Mamfengwini District.

His accomplices Ndende and Hintsa were arrested in Port Shepstone, while Abi was detained in East London on October 16.

Additionally, Paya and Nomdlwembu were arrested in Flagstaff on October 17.

These arrests followed a shooting incident on September 28, 2024, at two neighboring farms in Ngobozana Village, near Lusikisiki.

18 people died and 5 people were injured in the conflict.

ALSO READ: Suspect who shot Lusikisiki was released on parole despite murder conviction

The 19th count of the murder was revealed

Moreover, it is stated that the seven suspects are facing the 19th murder.

In a later development, Eastern Cape police spokesperson Majola Nkohli had previously confirmed that three suspects, aged between 25 and 46, were linked to the murder of ANC member Mcedisi Gijana and would appear in the KwaBhaca magistrates’ court.

“Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, police will not be releasing much information at this stage,” Nkohli said. Citizen.

However, on Tuesday Tyali confirmed: Citizen The Lusikisiki mass shooters were linked to Gijana’s death.

Gijana, known as “Sncane”, was attacked and shot outside his farm in KwaBhaca, Eastern Cape, on 19 August.

According to the information obtained, 58-year-old Gijana returned to her home and encountered the attackers.

While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, gunshots were heard and Gijana’s lifeless body was later found in one of the apartments outside.

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