Lusikisiki mass shooting linked to drug turf war, court hears

The Lusikisiki mass shooting that left 18 people dead was the result of a bitter feud and fight over drug turf between imprisoned gang boss Mzukisi Ndamase and his neighbours, the Sinqina family, the Mthatha high court has heard.

Key state witness Lonwabo Chester Abi, 31, once a close confidant of Ndamase, testified that the trigger was the shooting of Ndamase’s nephew Bhongo on September 26 2024.

Two days later, heavily armed men stormed the Ngobozana village homesteads of sisters Mary Sinqina and Nancy Sinqina-Matu, killing 18 relatives and friends gathered for a mourning ceremony.

Abi, arrested in October 2024, has turned state witness.

Over three days he described how Ndamase, calling from prison, allegedly directed “soldiers” loyal to him to carry out drug operations, robberies and assassinations.

Abi told the court that on September 27, the day before the massacre, Ndamase phoned him in a fury.

“He said he had called the local councillor to go and ensure his homestead was secured after the attack on his nephew,” Abi testified.

“The councillor refused. He also called the traditional leader, and he too refused.

“Mzukisi became angrier, asking what such leaders expected him to do if they could not do his family the simple favour of locking up his homestead.”

Ndamase, he said, was convinced the attack had been orchestrated by the rival Gqubeni gang and the Sinqina family, allegedly working with his own sister.

According to Abi, Ndamase accused the Sinqinas of bewitching his late mother, collaborating with the Gqubeni gang, and plotting the shooting of his nephew.

The animosity stretched back to October 2022, when Siyanda “Supa” Sinqina — once employed by Ndamase — was gunned down at his home. Ndamase is suspected of involvement.

Abi said Ndamase claimed that a Toyota Avanza used in the September 26 attack on his homestead was parked at Supa’s home.

The massacre on September 28 2024 targeted the Sinqina homesteads.

Ballistics tests later linked three AK-47 rifles, allegedly owned by Ndamase, to both the massacre and earlier killings.

Six men are on trial:

Ndamase, 46;
Aphiwe “AP” Ndende, 25;
Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45;
Bonga “Rico” Hintsa, 31;
Songezo “Mashiya” Vuma, 20; and
Nomdlembu, 36.

They face 29 charges including conspiracy to commit murder, 19 counts of murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and illegal possession of firearms. They have pleaded not guilty.

The indictment also covers the August 19 2024 assassination of ANC Alfred Nzo regional leader Mncedisi “Gatyeni” Sincane Gijana at his KwaBhaca home.

Abi testified that Ndamase also allegedly ordered Gijana’s assassination.

Once partners in drug trafficking and cash-in-transit heists, the relationship soured when Gijana, after being released on parole, allegedly failed to visit Ndamase in prison or support his parole bid.

“That was the reason he ordered him to be killed,” Abi told the court.

“Another was that Mzukisi wanted to expand his drug business into KwaBhaca, which was Gatyeni’s turf.”

Abi further implicated Ndamase in the 2023 killings of family members Nomnikelo “Pretty” Sinqina and her pregnant niece, Zinzi Sinqina-Jawuse.

Vuma, one of the accused, told the court he acted under duress. Nomdlembu faces only firearms charges.

Ndamase, serving a life sentence for murder plus 15 years for robbery, has been in prison since 2007 and is conducting his own defence. He denied all involvement.

“I have been in prison for the past 17 years,” he told judge Richard Brooks.

“I have never been out of prison and never been anywhere near Ngobozana.”

Abi has completed his evidence-in-chief and will face cross-examination from Ndamase on Wednesday. Lawyers for the other five accused will then question him.

Families of the victims said they were relieved the trial was gaining momentum and that Abi’s evidence had begun to reveal the motive behind the killings.

The trial continues until September 19.

Daily Dispatch