Had it not been for his wife’s warning, Ndabazakhe Mhlawuvele might have been among the 18 people gunned down in a mass shooting in Lusikisiki on September 28 2024.
Testifying in the Mthatha High Court, sitting in Lusikisiki, Mhlawuvele recounted on Thursday how his wife, Thandeka, told him to stay in the room where he was sleeping, moments before gunmen opened fire on the occupants of two neighbouring homesteads in Ngobozana village.
Her final words — “Kubi, ungabisaphuma” [It’s bad, don’t go out] — saved his life. But she ended up being among those killed.
Eighteen people — 15 women, two men and a 13-year-old boy — were shot dead at the neighbouring homes of sisters Nancy Sinqina-Matu and Mary Sinqina, where family and friends had gathered to prepare for a traditional ceremony.
Six people survived the attack — four women, a man, and a two-month-old baby.
The baby, whose mother was killed, was the only survivor present in the room where others were killed. The remaining survivors had been hiding in separate rooms.
The group had gathered for a traditional umembulo or ukukhululwa kwezila ritual, marking the end of mourning for family members Nomnikelo Sinqina, 61, and her daughter Zinzi Sinqina-Jawuse, 31, who were killed in August 2023.
The ceremony was due to take place that weekend in MaNtlaneni village.
Mhlawuvele, a cousin of the Sinqina sisters, told the court he was alone in a room when he heard Thobile Sinqina knocking and calling for Mary to open the door.
As he moved to investigate, his wife rushed in and warned him not to leave.
“She quickly went back to her room before I could ask what was going on,” he said.
“Seconds later, I heard the sound of big guns and screams. I didn’t know what was happening — I just heard the gunfire.”
He broke down as he described his wife’s final words and the horror that followed.
“When the shooting stopped, I came out. As I opened the main door, I found my wife lying dead in a pool of blood on the veranda.
“Inside, I saw bodies in every room — bedrooms, sitting rooms, passages. Some were lying on top of each other. I was scared and traumatised.”
He said he ran outside and called for help.
“Neighbours told me they had heard the gunfire but were too afraid to come.”
Fourteen people, including Thandeka, were killed at Mary’s home.
The other four victims — Nancy, her two daughters, and a 13-year-old grandson — were killed at the adjacent property.
The six accused — Aphiwe “AP” Ndende, 25, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, Bonga “Rico” Hintsa, 31, Songezo “Mashiya” Vuma, 20, Mawethu Nomdlembu, 36, and Mzukisi Ndamase — face a total of 29 charges, including 19 counts of murder.
All six accused have pleaded not guilty.
Nomdlembu is not charged with any of the murders but faces counts relating to the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
One of the murder charges relates to the assassination of ANC OR Tambo regional leader Mncesi Gijana, 58, who was shot dead by three gunmen in Lubhacweni village, KwaBhaca, on August 19, 2024.
Nomdlembu and Ndende are not charged in relation to the attack on Gijana.
On Wednesday, Jane King testified about the Lusikisiki shooting.
She recalled hearing gunshots and the desperate screams of her daughter, Ruth King, shouting “mama, mama, mama” as the gunmen opened fire in another room.
King said earlier that night, Mary had led a prayer session before everyone went to sleep, saying, “this is a home of prayer”.
A police forensic expert told the court that investigators had collected 30 rifle cartridges, three live rounds and four bullet fragments from Mary’s home.
Most of the victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head.
The trial continues.
Daily Dispatch
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