Lusikisiki Mass Murder Trial Set to Begin Next Week

The long-awaited trial of six men accused of one of the most brutal mass killings in recent South African history is finally set to begin on Monday, 28 July 2025. The trial will take place at the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court under a special sitting of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court.

This follows the horrific events of 28 September 2024, when 18 people were gunned down at two neighbouring homesteads in Ngobozana Village, near the rural town of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed this week that eight weeks have been set aside for the trial, which is expected to run until 19 September 2025. NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said all six accused will face multiple serious charges.

The accused — Mzukisi Ndamase, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, Aphiwe “AP” Ndende, Bonga Hintsa, Mawethu Nomdlembu, and Songezo Vuma — are facing 18 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.

“These six individuals have all since abandoned their bail applications and will remain in custody throughout the trial,” said Tyali.

According to the NPA, the accused were allegedly involved in a violent shooting spree that left the Ngobozana community in shock and mourning. The massacre, which happened on a Saturday evening, drew national attention and sparked calls for stronger action against violent crime in rural areas.

Adding to the seriousness of the case is the alleged involvement of 46-year-old Mzukisi Ndamase, who is already serving a life sentence for a previous murder conviction. Authorities believe Ndamase orchestrated the Lusikisiki killings from inside the eBongweni Super Maximum Prison in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.

Despite the gravity of the charges, Ndamase has chosen to represent himself in court.

“He has indicated to the court that he will conduct his own defence,” Tyali confirmed.

Investigators have also linked the accused to another murder that occurred just weeks before the Lusikisiki massacre. On 19 August 2024, Mncedi Gijana, a local politician from KwaBhaca, was killed. The NPA says there is evidence connecting some of the same suspects to that crime as well.

In a related update, the state withdrew charges earlier this year against two other suspects initially arrested in connection with the mass shooting. Lwando Abi and Zenande Paya were released in March after the NPA told the court that there was no longer enough evidence to proceed against them.

Abi, who served seven years of a ten-year sentence for attempted murder in 2012, now has no pending cases.

With those charges dropped, the focus now shifts fully to the remaining six accused. The case was transferred from Mthatha High Court to the Lusikisiki circuit court, where extra security is expected due to the high-profile nature of the matter and the number of victims involved.

Residents of Ngobozana and surrounding areas have expressed relief that the trial is finally going ahead, hoping it will bring justice to the families of those who were killed.

Community leaders have also called for counselling and support services to be made available for survivors and relatives of the victims.