Three accused set to testify as Lusikisiki massacre trial resumes
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Read the original article: https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-04-14-three-accused-set-to-testify-as-…
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25 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.
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“The trial of the Lusikisiki massacre accused is set to resume on Tuesday after a two-week court recess.”
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“Six men allegedly orchestrated and carried out the attack on two households in Ngobozana village, Lusikisiki, on September 28 2024.”
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“They are Mzukisi Ndamase, 46, Aphiwe Ndende, 25, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, Bonga Hintsa, 31, Songezo Vuma, 21, and Mawethu Nomdlembu, 36.”
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“Eighteen people — including 15 women, a 13-year-old boy and two men — were killed when gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles attacked neighbouring homesteads belonging to sisters Mary Sinqina and Nancy Sinqina-Mhatu.”
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“Members of the Sinqina-Mhatu family — including the mother Nancy, her two daughters and a grandson — were among those killed.”
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“Fourteen victims died at Mary Sinqina’s home.”
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“A two-month-old baby survived the attack, though his mother was among the victims.”
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“The indictment includes a 19th murder charge linked to the killing of ANC Alfred Nzo regional leader Mncedisi Gijana, who was shot dead at his home in Lujizweni village, KwaBhaca, on August 19 2024.”
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“Four of the accused — Ndamase, Ndende, Hintsa and Vuma — face charges in connection with both incidents.”
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“Myekethe is not charged in the Gijana murder, while Nomdlembu faces only charges relating to unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.”
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“All six accused have pleaded not guilty. Vuma has told the court he was threatened by Ndamase to take part in the crimes.”
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“Proceedings are currently focused on a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether confessions made by some of the men are admissible as evidence.”
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“Ndende, Myekethe and Hintsa are expected to testify this week, alleging police tortured and coerced them into making incriminating statements.”
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“Their lawyers argue these alleged abuses render the confessions inadmissible.”
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“Vuma, however, has allowed two confessions by him — one relating to the Lusikisiki killings and another to Gijana’s murder — to be admitted as evidence, maintaining they were made freely and voluntarily.”
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“Ndamase, who is representing himself, and Nomdlembu have not confessed.”
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“The state, led by advocates Mfundo Makhubalo, Mduduzi Mzila and Nkululeko Mathenjwa, maintains that all statements were obtained lawfully and voluntarily.”
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“To support its case, the prosecution has called 23 police officers involved in the arrests, detention, transportation and investigation of the accused.”
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“The Mthatha high court, sitting in Lusikisiki, has already heard evidence from seven officers who oversaw the taking of statements and the pointing out of crime scenes.”
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“Two former accused — Lonwabo Abi, 33, and Zenande Paya, 38 — have turned state witness under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act, with charges withdrawn in exchange for full and truthful testimony.”
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“In their statements, they implicate five men — Ndamase, Ndende, Myekethe, Hintsa and Vuma — for planning and carrying out the massacre.”
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“Police also allegedly recovered four high-calibre rifles and 82 rounds of ammunition from the ceiling of Nomdlembu’s home in Ntlezi village, Flagstaff, on October 17 2024.”
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“The cache included three AK-47 rifles and a .243 Steyr Mannlicher rifle, believed to have been moved after the attack.”
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“The state alleges that Ndamase orchestrated the killings from prison as an act of revenge after his brother was shot and wounded a day earlier, blaming members of the Sinqina family.”
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“Judge Richard Brooks is expected to rule on whether the contested confessions will be admitted as evidence before the main trial continues.”
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