By Anita Dangazele
- Six men, including alleged mastermind Mzukisi Ndamase, appear in court charged with murdering 18 people in Ngobozana Village last September.
- Families pack the courtroom demanding answers for the attack that killed 15 women, saying they need closure and want to know why innocent people were targeted.
The trial of six men accused of the Eastern Cape’s worst mass killing has begun in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court. The men are charged with murdering 18 people in Ngobozana Village on 28 September last year.
The accused are Mzukisi Ndamase, 46, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, 45, Aphiwe Ndende, 25, Bonga Hintsa, 31, Mawethu Nomdlembu, 36, and Songezo Vuma, 20.
They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, 18 counts of murder, kidnapping, robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. They have all abandoned their bail applications.
Ndamase, said to have planned the killings, was already serving life and 15 years for murder and robbery. Myekethe was out on parole after being jailed for killing a police officer in 2000.
Fifteen of the 18 victims were women. The shootings took place at two neighbouring homes in the village.
The court was packed with victims’ families as heavily armed police stood guard. Proceedings started late as some of the accused arrived late.
Speaking for the families, David King said: “We want to know the reasons so we can get closure. We want to know why such innocent people were targeted. Why would someone shoot women at close range like that? We are hoping our justice system will help get all the answers.”
King said relatives are still traumatised ten months later. “Some of the families are not coping at all. That incident was horrific for all of us.”
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the accused have also been linked to the 19 August 2024 murder of ANC politician Mncedi Gijana in KwaBhaca. Gijana was the party leader in the Alfred Nzo region.
The trial has been allocated eight weeks and is due to continue until 19 September. King said the families are happy with the progress so far. “We are just hoping it will be concluded within the stipulated time and ensure proper justice for us as families,” he said.
Pictured above: Mass murder accused appear in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court.
Image source: Facebook
