One of the two men arrested in connection with the October 18 mass shooting of five Seti family members in Bhityi, outside Mthatha, is a parolee.
He was released on parole in 2022 after serving six years of his sentence.
This was revealed at the Bhityi magistrate’s court on Wednesday where Ncambe-Dodobala appeared.
He and his co-accused, Lukhanyo Xolisa Gam, 22, were nabbed by police last week and are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Ncambe-Dodobala was escorted by a large number of correctional services officers.
Though he initially wanted a private attorney, he changed his tune on Wednesday, saying he now wanted a Legal Aid lawyer.
“I am a parolee and have broken some parole conditions,” Ncambe-Dodobala told the court.
However, he said he still wanted to apply for bail.
The state indicated it would oppose bail for both accused.
The matter was postponed to November 7 for further investigation and a formal bail application.
The two men are alleged to have shot and killed the Seti family members on October 18 at about 8.30pm.
At the time, the family was asleep in two different structures in their homestead in Ncenjana village in the Mthentu administrative area.
They allegedly shot Siphiwo Seti, 70, and his wife Nowinile Sizeka at their rondavel.
They then allegedly proceeded to another house where they fatally shot the couple’s daughter, Alina Seti, 39, granddaughter Azakhe, 17, and grandson Akhanya, 13.
An 11-year-old and 19-year-old were seriously wounded and rushed to hospital.
A 13-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl, who were in the same house with the three murder victims, managed to run away and inform neighbours, who alerted the police.
The 11-year-old has since been discharged from hospital, but a bullet is still lodged in her body, while the 19-year-old grade 12 pupil is still fighting for her life in hospital.
The five murder victims will be buried on Saturday.
The court was filled with family members of both the victims and the accused.
The victims’ families were scared to speak to the media for fear of their lives.
DispatchLIVE
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