A chilling picture of family loyalty at the heart of the Lusikisiki massacre emerged in the Mthatha high court this week when it was revealed that the youngest of the six accused is not only the alleged field commander of the killings, but also the nephew of the man accused of orchestrating them from prison.
Testimony placed 21-year-old Songezo “Mashiya” Vuma as both blood relative and most trusted lieutenant of convicted murderer Mzukisi Ndamase, 46, the man prosecutors say directed a reign of violence from his cell in Mthatha’s Wellington Prison.
Ndamase is serving life and 15 years for robbery but is now on trial alongside five others for 29 new charges, including 19 counts of murder.
State witness Lwando Abi, once a close ally of Ndamase, told the court that Vuma acted as his uncle’s right-hand man, relaying instructions to soldiers and commanding operations that included robberies and targeted killings.
Abi described Vuma as “cruel and merciless like his uncle”, and said he led the operation that left 18 people dead in Ngobozana village on September 28 2024.
The accused are Ndamase, Vuma, Aphiwe “AP” Ndende, 25, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, Bonga “Rico” Hintsa, 31, and Mawethu Nomdlembu, 36.
Among the charges is the assassination of ANC Alfred Nzo regional executive member Mncedisi Sincane Gijana at his Lubhacweni village home on August 19 2024. All six have pleaded not guilty.
Abi testified that after an attack on Ndamase’s Ngobozana home on August 26 2024, in which another nephew, Bhongo Ndamase, was shot and wounded, Ndamase allegedly ordered his soldiers to wipe out the rival Gqubeni Boys gang and the Sinqina family.
The Gqubeni Boys, once his recruits, had broken away and were suspected of colluding with the Sinqinas.
“Mashiya led the operations of tracking down the Gqubeni Boys, searching taverns in Lusikisiki and Port St Johns,” Abi told the court.
“When we could not find them, he directed the mission to Supa’s family, where 18 people were shot dead in the early hours of August 28.”
Those killed — 15 women, two men and a 13-year-old boy — had gathered at the homes of sisters Nancy Sinqina-Matu and Mary Sinqina for a ceremony marking the end of mourning for relatives murdered in August 2023.
Abi said Vuma took charge of planning at Myekethe’s home on August 27 and later commanded the mission.
He said he had given a VW Polo to Ndamase for use in operations, though it was placed under Vuma’s control.
“I wanted Mzukisi to have his own vehicle to transport the guys to carry out missions without me being involved,” he said.
But on the day of the massacre, Abi said, Ndamase demanded that his own car be used instead, fearing Vuma’s vehicle was too recognisable.
“I drove from East London to Lusikisiki to transport the guys and the firearms,” he testified.
Cross-examining Abi, Ndamase pointed to inconsistencies in his Section 204 statement, which grants him indemnity from prosecution.
Abi admitted to some errors in wording but stood by his account that Vuma was his uncle’s most trusted and feared soldier.
Vuma, born in 2003, was a toddler when Ndamase was jailed in 2007, yet Abi’s evidence cast him as the figure who grew into his uncle’s chosen successor on the outside.
Abi has also linked Ndamase to eight other killings, including those of an Ingquza Hill councillor, traditional leaders, a healer, a policeman, a taxi boss and the earlier Sinqina family murders in 2023.
Judge Richard Brooks adjourned the proceedings until Monday, citing an emergency involving some of the defence attorneys.
Daily Dispatch
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