The Lusikisiki massacre trial has uncovered a chilling trail of violence, with the accused and former accused implicated in a string of brutal murders beyond the 18 lives lost in the mass shooting in 2024.
In addition to the 18 victims of the massacre, the accused are allegedly linked to the deaths of at least eight other people, including high-profile politicians, a councillor, a police detective, a traditional leader, a sangoma, and two women, one of whom was pregnant, between 2021 and 2024.
Testifying in the Mthatha high court sitting in Lusikisiki on Friday, state witness Lonwabo Abi said some of the accused acted as “iinkabi” — hired hitmen — mainly carrying out hits on politicians and taxi bosses.
Abi, who is testifying against his former handler and confidant, Mzukisi Ndamase, admitted to the murders in which he and Ndamase were involved.
Ndamase is accused of being the mastermind of the mass shooting, orchestrating the crimes behind bars at Mthatha’s Wellington Prison, where he was serving a life sentence and 15 years for robbery since 2007.
He is charged together with Aphiwe “AP” Ndende, 25, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, Bonga “Rico” Hintsa, 31, Songezo “Mashiya” Vuma, 21, and Mawethu Nomdlembu, 36.
They face a total of 29 charges, including 19 counts of murder.
During the September 28 massacre, 18 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 at Ngobozana village in Lusikisiki.
Family and friends had gathered to prepare for a traditional ceremony marking the end of mourning for family members Nomnikelo “Makhosi” Sinqina, 61, and her daughter Zinzi Sinqina-Jawuse, 31, who were killed in August 2023 in Ngobozana.
Abi said Ndamase had sent his soldiers out to kill the feared and notorious Abafana baseGqubeni gang — his former “soldiers” — but they could not be found.
“Many people have been brutally murdered, from an instruction from you; you killed so many people, your hands are dripping with the blood of many people.
“You [Ndamase] are very cruel; your heart is ice-cold.
“You showed no mercy but continue killing,” Abi said during his testimony on Friday.
Abi also acknowledged his role in some of the killings.
He also claimed that he and Ndamase were involved in the murder of senior Ingquza Hill Local Municipality councillor Fundisile Ranai, 49, and his son Siyolise, 18, who were shot dead at their home in Lusikisiki’s Joe Slovo Park township on September 16 2022.
Ranai was an Ingquza Hill ward 15 councillor and OR Tambo district municipality water and sanitation portfolio committee member.
“I am not standing here as a saint, I am not innocent, my hands too are dripping blood of other people.
“You and I were friends involved in several killings, me taking orders from you..”
Abi claimed Ndamase ordered the murder of detective Sergeant Siviwe Mamba, a police officer who was stationed in Dutywa.
He was killed in a hail of bullets by unknown gunmen outside his Colosa village home in Dutywa on March 4 2023.
“I am also involved because I pointed out to accused number five [Songezo Vuma], Mamba’s homestead.
“Mamba was a good friend of mine. You pretended that you killed Mamba for my sake, but it was for your problems,” Abi said.
Ndamase hit back during cross-examination, telling the court Mamba was an accomplice of Abi’s in drug dealing.
“I believe he is the policeman who kept your drugs in his house and always alerted you when the police were [going] to raid or search your home for drugs.
“He is one of your connections within the police. He was one of those policemen in the circles of friends,” Ndamase put it to Abi in court.
Abi confirmed Mamba was assisting him with hiding drugs.
Ndamase is also linked to ANC Alfred Nzo regional executive member Mncedisi Sincane Gijana’s killing at his Lubhacweni village home in Lusikisiki on August 19 2024.
Gijana was out on parole for a cash-in-transit heist, and Abi told the court he was also involved in drug-dealing and was a former friend of Ndamase, who, together conducted many robberies before Ndamase was sentenced in 2007.
Abi also implicated Ndamase in the murders of Sinqina and her daughter.
Abi also admitted to having killed his former close friend, Teki Gubela, after an attempt by Ndamase failed.
Abi claimed Gubela was interfering with his drug operations and was one of the men who kidnapped him (Abi), and forcefully circumcised him, before Ndamase sent men to rescue him while he was behind bars.
All six accused have pleaded not guilty.
Daily Dispatch
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