eFinder

eFinder

Home › Police Conduct/Police Brutality › Article

I was beaten, kicked and suffocated to confess, massacre accused tells court

Dailydispatch · · 520 words · By Lulamile Feni
Police Conduct/Police Brutality Legal Due Process
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-04-23-i-was-beaten-kicked-and-suffocat…

psychologyDetected Techniques

warning
Loaded Language 60% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

17 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 7
schedule Pending 7
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 1
check_circle
“Bonga “Rico” Hintsa, one of the accused in the Lusikisiki massacre case, has challenged the admissibility of his alleged confession, telling the Mthatha High Court sitting in Lusikisiki it was obtained through assault and intimidation by police.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Bonga 'Rico' Hintsa challenged the admissibility of his confession in the Mthatha High Court sitting in Lusikisiki, alleging it was obtained through assault and intimidation by police.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Bonga "Rico" Hintsa, one of the accused in the Lusikisiki massacre case, has challenged the admissibility of his alleged confession, telling the Mthatha High Court sitting in Lusikisiki it was obtaine…
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-04-23-i-was-beaten…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Defence lawyers in the Lusikisiki massacre trial have questioned why a senior police officer arranged for a subordinate to take a confession from an accused instead of requesting a magistrate to do so…
https://www.theherald.co.za/news/2026-03-06-defence-question…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A trial within a trial of six men accused of the murder of 18 people at Ngobozana village in Lusikisiki is expected to resume on Tuesday at the Mthatha High Court sitting in Lusikisiki in the Eastern …
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/lusikisiki-mass-murder-tri…
check_circle
“Hintsa, 31, is testifying in a trial-within-a-trial in Lusikisiki, where the court has to determine whether statements made by him and two co-accused can be used as evidence.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that Hintsa, along with co-accused Aphiwe Ndende and Siphosoxolo Myekethe, are involved in a 'trial-within-a-trial' at the Mthatha High Court in Lusikisiki to determine the admissibility of their statements.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 Lusikisiki shootings occurred on September 28, 2024 outside of two houses in the town of Lusikisiki in Eastern Cape, South Africa. 18 people were killed and 5 others were injured.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Lusikisiki_shootings
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Claims by accused two, Aphiwe Ndende, accused three, Siphoxolo Mayekethe and accused four, Bonga Hintsa, have brought the case to a trial within a trial.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/04/20/lusikisiki-mass-murder-tria…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The trial of the six men accused of the Ngobozana Massacre in Lusikisiki has been postponed to Wednesday. The accused who turned state witness, Lwando Anthony Abi, continued with his testimony today a…
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/families-shocked-by-state-…
+ 1 more evidence source
check_circle
“He is among six men facing 29 charges, including 19 counts of murder, linked to the September 28 2024 mass shooting in Ngobozana village.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Hintsa is one of six men facing 29 charges, including 19 counts of murder, related to the Lusikisiki massacre.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 Lusikisiki shootings occurred on September 28, 2024 outside of two houses in the town of Lusikisiki in Eastern Cape, South Africa. 18 people were killed and 5 others were injured.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Lusikisiki_shootings
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The list below is a compilation of modern serial killers who currently have the highest verifiable murder count. It excludes medical professionals and pseudo-medical professionals with their ability t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_serial_killers_by_numb…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hintsa is one of six men facing 29 charges, including 19 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammu…
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-03-02-lusikisiki-m…
+ 1 more evidence source
info
“Eighteen people — 15 women, a 13-year-old boy and two men — were killed when gunmen attacked two neighbouring homesteads.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific details (15 women, one 13-year-old boy, and two men) are not corroborated by the provided web search results. While the general event of 18 people being killed is mentioned in other contexts, the precise breakdown of victims cited in this claim is only present in the claim's context and not independently verified by the search results.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Eighteen or 18 may refer to: 18 (number) One of the years 18 BC, AD 18, 1918, 2018
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — At Eighteen (Korean: 열여덟의 순간) is a 2019 South Korean television series directed by Shim Na-yeon starring Ong Seong-wu, Kim Hyang-gi, Shin Seung-ho, and Kang Ki-young. The series marks Ong's first offi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_Eighteen
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The historiographical term "Eighteen Kingdoms" (Chinese: 十八國), also translated as "Eighteen States", refers to the eighteen fengjian states in China created by military leader Xiang Yu in 206 BCE, aft…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighteen_Kingdoms
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
“A two-month-old infant survived.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results independently report that a two-month-old infant survived the Lusikisiki mass shooting.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Infant Miraculously Survives Amid the bloodshed, a two-month-old infant who was inside the house at the time of the attack miraculously survived unharmed. Investigators said the baby was found alive a…
https://themindanaosentinel.com/2026/02/family-massacred-ins…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Her eldest son also sustained injuries during the attack, but survived after receiving treatment in hospital. "They also struck my oldest son, but he survived after treatment in hospital," she said.
https://saharareporters.com/2026/04/22/they-sliced-my-10-mon…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A two-month-old baby boy survived the Lusikisiki mass shooting. It left 18 people dead. He's being cared for by the Social Development Dept. #eNCA anchor Masego Rahlaga spoke to the HOD of Community S…
https://www.facebook.com/eNCAnews/videos/a-two-month-old-bab…
check_circle
“The group also faces a separate charge relating to the murder of ANC Alfred Nzo regional leader Mncedisi Gijana, who was shot dead at his KwaBhaca home in August 2024.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that the group faces a separate charge related to the murder of ANC regional leader Mncedisi Gijana, shot in KwaBhaca in August 2024.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A two-month-old infant survived. The group also faces a separate charge relating to the murder of ANC Alfred Nzo regional leader Mncedisi Gijana, who was shot dead at his KwaBhaca home in August 2024.…
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-04-23-i-was-beaten…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A two-monthold infant survived. The group faces a separate charge relating to the murder of ANC Alfred Nzo regional leader Mncedisi Gijana, who was shot dead at his Kwabhaca home in August 2024. All s…
https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/daily-dispatch/2026…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The trial of the six accused has been adjourned until tomorrow by the Mthatha High Court Special Sitting in Lusikisiki Magistrate's Court. The state has linked the firearms used to kill the 18 decease…
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/firearms-in-the-lusikisiki…
check_circle
“All six accused have pleaded not guilty.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that all six accused men pleaded not guilty to the charges.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — TWO men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a teenager stabbed in Cardiff.An Ingleside man pleaded not guilty in Lake County court Thursday afternoon to multiple counts of sexually assaulting a c…
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/pleaded+not+guilty
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — All six pleaded not guilty to a total of 29 charges on Monday. Accused numbers one to five (Ndamase, Myekethe, Ndende, Hintsa, and Nomdlembu) face charges including conspiracy to commit murder, 18 cou…
https://centralnews.co.za/all-six-men-accused-of-lusikisiki-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Six men accused of frequenting a high-end brothel network in Massachusetts and Virginia pleaded not guilty, with pre-trial hearings set for this summer.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/6-more-men-plead-not-161215675.ht…
check_circle
“Hintsa, along with co-accused Aphiwe Ndende and Siphosoxolo Myekethe, is disputing the admissibility of statements allegedly made to police, claiming they were obtained under duress.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that Hintsa, Ndende, and Myekethe are disputing the admissibility of statements allegedly made to police, claiming duress.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Ndende and Hintsa also made confessions relating to both incidents but are now opposing their admission, alleging they were made under duress. Myekethe confessed only to involvement in the Lusikisiki …
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-03-02-wrangle-over…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Ndende’s lawyer, Advocate Mawande Nokhwali, led the cross-examination, zeroing in on what he called flip-flops in Abi’s statements. In one police statement, Abi said the firearms used in the killings …
https://centralnews.co.za/aphiwe-ndendes-lawyer-claims-state…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The trio joined Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45) in abandoning their bail applications, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in a statement. All four men are charged with 18 counts of murder and one…
https://www.africaninsider.com/news/three-suspects-in-lusiki…
help
“In testimony that began on Tuesday, Hintsa alleged he was assaulted from the day of his arrest on October 16 2024.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
Although the claim relates to testimony given by Hintsa, the specific allegation that he was assaulted starting from his arrest on October 16, 2024, could not be corroborated by the provided web search results. The evidence for claim 0 mentions assault, but not this specific date or testimony detail.
help
“He told the court he was beaten, kicked and slapped, and suffocated with plastic bags.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided web search results to corroborate the specific allegation that Hintsa was beaten, kicked, slapped, and suffocated with plastic bags.
schedule
“He said officers threatened to kill him or throw him from a bridge if he did not co-operate, and that the violence escalated when he failed to answer questions.”
PENDING
schedule
“Hintsa also claimed he was not informed of his constitutional rights during interrogation on October 17 2024.”
PENDING
schedule
“The defence, led by attorney Zama Somahela, argues the alleged abuses render the statements inadmissible.”
PENDING
schedule
“They further contend that state witness Lonwabo Abi, a former co-accused, was the mastermind behind the attacks, challenging the state’s claim that Mzukisi Ndamase orchestrated the killings.”
PENDING
schedule
“Co-accused Songezo Vuma has not opposed the use of his confessions, saying they were made voluntarily.”
PENDING
schedule
“Hintsa and Ndende were arrested on October 16 2024 in Port Shepstone following a police manhunt.”
PENDING
schedule
“Judge Richard Brooks has warned correctional services officials against interfering in the case after complaints that inmates were being pressured to plead guilty.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.