Second Gugulethu mass murder suspect still at large

The man accused of gunning down eight people in a mass shooting in Gugulethu made a brief appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Lungile Anthony “Fire” Madolo was arrested just days after the June 28 massacre in Kanana informal settlement.

He now faces eight counts of murder and charges related to the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

During his court appearance, Madolo confirmed that he had appointed a private attorney after initially being represented by a Legal Aid lawyer at his first appearance.

The matter was postponed to August 21, 2025, for a formal bail application.

According to the charge sheet, Madolo is accused of killing Vuyolwethu Makongo, Siyanda Thongana, Afezile Thongana, Hlomla Thongana, Somile Vithela, Luyolo Zoneleni, Loyiso Jezile, and Phumlani Zoya.

Previously, Madolo told the court that he had voluntarily handed himself over to police after seeing his face circulating widely on social media.

“I saw my picture trending, and that is why I handed myself to the police. I have not changed, I still look the same way. And my face has been published before,” he told the magistrate.

His image had been released by police alongside that of another man, Loyiso Matinisi, who is still at large.

At the time, police appealed to the public for assistance, saying the men could help with critical information regarding the killings.

The State has indicated it will oppose bail.

The prosecutor said investigations were ongoing to confirm whether Madolo had any pending matters or previous convictions.

“The accused before the court faces eight counts of murder, one for possession of an unlicensed firearm, the calibre remains unknown, and one count of possession of ammunition,” the prosecutor told the court.

He also said Madolo had been linked to two separate crime scenes through eyewitness testimony.

“Count two to 10 relate to the second scene. The two accused allegedly went to that scene. The seven deceased were shot while seated inside a house on the same day,” he added.

Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile confirmed that Madolo had only recently been released from prison after a previous case, involving the murder of Gugulethu Community police forum (CPF) deputy chairperson Lulama Dinginto, was withdrawn. Just nine days later, he was implicated in the latest mass shooting.

The second suspect, Matinisi, remains on the run.

Police have reiterated their call for anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.

Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 0860010111, or SMS Crime Line on 32211.

Cape Times