Lusikisiki Massacre Trial Set to Begin: Six Accused Face Charges in Shocking 2024 Killings

Six accused to face trial over the tragic killing of 18 people

The Eastern Cape is preparing for a high-profile court case as six men accused of a brutal mass murder in Ngobozana Village near Lusikisiki are scheduled to stand trial next week. The horrific incident, which claimed the lives of 18 people in late September 2024, shook the region and has remained a source of pain and anger for local communities.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed the trial will open on Monday, 28 July 2025, at a special sitting of the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court. The case will run for approximately eight weeks in the High Court’s Eastern Cape Division, reflecting the gravity and complexity of the charges involved.

The accused and charges they face

The men on trial, Mzukisi Ndamase, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, Aphiwe “AP” Ndende, Bonga Hintsa, Mawethu Nomdlembu, and Songezo Vuma, face a litany of charges. These include 18 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to the NPA’s regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, the six accused had abandoned bail, raising concerns about flight risk. The prosecution alleges the shooting occurred at two neighbouring homesteads on 28 September 2024, a massacre that left the tight-knit community devastated.

Adding to the severity, the accused are also linked to the murder of politician Mncedi Gijana in KwaBhaca earlier that same year. A particularly chilling detail is that Ndamase, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, is accused of orchestrating the attack from behind bars at the eBongweni Super-Maximum Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. In a surprising move, he will be representing himself in court.

A community still healing

The Lusikisiki massacre remains fresh in the minds of many, and social media channels have been abuzz with discussions around justice and accountability. Local voices express a deep yearning for closure and a trial that will bring truth and justice to the victims’ families.

Community members and activists have called for a transparent trial, mindful of the trauma inflicted on a village still trying to piece itself back together.

Charges withdrawn for two suspects

In a related development, charges against two other suspects, Lwando Abi and Zenande Paya, were withdrawn earlier this year in March. Abi’s history includes a previous conviction for attempted murder in 2012, for which he served seven years of a 10-year sentence.

The withdrawal of their charges allowed for the matter to be officially transferred to the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha, with the trial venue being the Lusikisiki circuit court.

The Lusikisiki trial marks a critical juncture for the Eastern Cape justice system. Given the scale of the tragedy and the serious nature of the charges, the weeks ahead will be closely watched by families, community members, and legal observers.

Beyond the courtroom drama, the trial underscores the challenges South Africa faces in dealing with violent crime and the complex dynamics of criminal networks.

As the courtroom doors open next week, the hope is that this long-delayed process brings not only justice but also a measure of healing to the people of Lusikisiki.

{Source: The Citizen}

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