By Mpumzi Mshweshwe
Six men who were charged with the murder of 18 people in Lusikisiki made their first appearance in the High Court Eastern Cape Division, Mthatha on Monday. The men are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The men appeared in court on the 14th of April and the case was postponed to 16 May 2025.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the case was transferred from Lusikisiki Regional Court to the high court, where it was postponed to 16 May 2025 for the defence to indicate if they were ready to proceed with the trial. “They are charged with the shootings that occurred on 28 September 2024 at two neighbouring homesteads in Ngobozana Village near the town of Lusikisiki, where eighteen people were killed.”
The accused are Mzukisi Ndamase (46), Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45), Aphiwe “AP” Ndende (25), Bonga Hintsa (31), Mawethu Nomdlembu (36), and Songezo Vuma (20). Of the 18 people that were killed that day, 15 were women and three were men; they were all gunned down.
In a separate matter, the same accused were also suspected to be involved in the alleged murder of politician, Mncedi Gijana, in KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere) in the Eastern Cape last year. The police said that Gijana was shot and killed outside his homestead by men who were armed with rifles on 19 August 2024, weeks after the Lusikisiki mass murders. The men have not been formally charged with this case, but are suspects in the case. – NewsSA_Online