
Lusikisiki mass killings trial postponed as main accused asks for time to review new documents
The victims were gunned down in Ngobozana village last year.
The main accused, Mzukisi Ndamase, who's representing himself, asked for more time to review new documents handed over in court on Tuesday.
The lawyers for the five other accused also echoed his sentiments in this regard.
The six men returned to the special Mthatha High Court sitting in the Lusikisiki Magistrate's Court.
NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said: "One of the accused who is representing himself raised an issue with the documents which we furnished them this morning regarding what is contained in the SAP 13 - your chain of evidence, postmortem certificate and exhibits that we picked up at the crime scene."
READ MORE:
• AmaMpondo Royal Family calls on govt to crack down on Lusikisiki crime scourge
• Assassinations in Lusikisiki 'a very common thing', says AmaMpondo royal family
• Lusikisiki mass shooting: Masemola says police determined to find 'these heartless criminals'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Maverick
6 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Gqeberha prosecutor gunned down outside her home in ‘planned hit' emphasises high stakes
The assassination of a legal counsel in an apparent hit draws attention to a worrying trend of sourcing 'guns for hire' in the Eastern Cape. The death of a Gqeberha public prosecutor, widely believed to be an assassination, has highlighted growing concern for the safety of state attorneys. Crime experts warn that there is no clear solution to the escalating attacks on legal officials – especially in the Eastern Cape (EC), which they describe as a rising hotspot for hired guns. Regional Court prosecutor Tracy Brown arrived at her Young Park home at around 3.30pm on Thursday 31 July. She was still seated in her car when a VW Polo pulled up to her driveway. Four armed men wearing masks to hide their faces got out, walked up to her car and fired multiple shots into Brown's Toyota Etios before fleeing the scene. Brown's partner and minor child were at home when the incident occurred. She was rushed to hospital, but sadly succumbed to the numerous gunshot wounds she sustained. The police said the motive behind the murder was still unclear. But the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), as well as court and police officials who worked with Brown, believe she was the target of a planned hit murder. Her death comes only a few short months after another prosecutor, Elona Sombulula, was shot and killed in Ngcobo in April. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said Brown's death was an attack on law and order, and no stone would be left unturned to solve the violent crime. 'Brutal murder' 'Tracy Brown was shot assassination-style by four armed men in front of her house in Gqeberha, in the presence of her partner and minor child. The NPA, together with law enforcement, will spare no effort in ensuring that the perpetrators of this brutal murder are brought to justice,' he said. Mhaga said prosecutors like Brown show a deep commitment to upholding the law, often at great personal risk. He shared the NPA's condolences with her family. Colleagues of Brown's at the New Brighton Magistrates' Court said she was a hard-working and diligent prosecutor who never shied away from difficult cases. Detectives working in the jurisdiction of her court said she was very dedicated to her craft and often put pressure on them to conduct very thorough investigations when building her cases. 'Even when she put pressure on us, she was a delight to work with. She only pushed us to ensure the success of our cases. Her death is a major loss to law and law enforcement,' a detective who worked closely with her said. In another unrelated incident, it is believed that a prosecutor stationed at the Gqeberha Magistrates Court recently took an extended period of leave after allegedly receiving reports that she was being targeted by suspects awaiting the outcome of their formal bail application. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi condemned the murders that claimed Brown and Sombulula, and called on the public to assist the police by coming forward with any information they believe could help the investigation. 'The death of one prosecutor is one too many,' she said. 'Their protection must be reinforced and better coordinated with other security cluster stakeholders to ensure that our prosecutors can carry out their duties without fear for their lives.' Kubayi said the NPA had security measures in place for prosecutors, but said these measures should urgently be reviewed and strengthened, particularly in the EC. Bringing shooters from EC Criminologist John Alexander said the suspected hit murders of state officials were endemic to the EC, where hitmen are steadily becoming a well-known export. 'The gun-for-hire trade is becoming highly specialised in the Eastern Cape. More and more reports are circulating that gangs from the Western Cape and other provinces are bringing shooters from the Eastern Cape to do their dirty work.' With reference to the murders of public prosecutors, Alexander said there was no quick solution to the problem. Due to the nature of their work, and courts being a public space where anyone can attend proceedings, Alexander said prosecutors have no chance of a normal life. 'Often they do not get to choose the cases they are assigned, and when you deal with dangerous criminals, you open yourself up to risk. Prosecutors either make use of security guards, or they accept the risks that come from not being protected.' He believes the increase in violence against court officials also increases the chances of corruption or extortion. 'The unfortunate truth is that officials might become more susceptible to taking bribes if it means saving their lives and protecting their loved ones. A little envelope to make a case go away might just be the thing to keep the hitmen off your tail,' Alexander said. DM


The South African
a day ago
- The South African
'Death of a prosecutor is one too many'
Regional Court prosecutor Tracy Brown was shot and killed outside her home in Gqeberha, in the presence of her partner and child. The incident occurred on Thursday, 31 July, in what authorities have described as an assassination-style attack. The motive for the killing remains unclear. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has strongly condemned the murder, calling it an attack on the rule of law. In a statement, the NPA described the killing of prosecutors as deeply disturbing. NPA National Spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, said prosecutors have a deep commitment to serving the people, often at great personal risk. 'To target those who dedicate their lives to upholding the law is to strike at the heart of our constitutional democracy. We will not be deterred in our resolve to deliver on our mandate to ensure justice for the people of our country,' Mhaga added. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, condemned the murder and called for urgent measures to protect NPA staff. She also described Brown's death as 'heartbreaking' and the act as 'barbaric.' 'These protections must be reinforced and better coordinated with other security cluster stakeholders to ensure that our prosecutors can carry out their duties without fear for their lives,' the Minister said. She further urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist law enforcement in their investigation. 'The death of a prosecutor is one too many,' Minister Kubayi added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news


The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Here's what Ramaphosa said about Mashatile's diamond gift saga
The deputy president was recently fined R10 000 by parliament. President Cyril Ramaphosa says Deputy President Paul Mashatile must account for himself after he failed to declare a diamond gifted to his wife by controversial businessman Louis Liebenberg. Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, after the swearing-in of acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, President Ramaphosa made it clear that the responsibility to respond lies with Mashatile himself. 'I can't answer for him, and he has answers for all his matters. 'We will need to wait for him to provide answers to all these questions, and only he can answer them. So let's wait for that, and then we take the process from there,' Ramaphosa said. Earlier this week, parliament's joint committee on ethics and members' interests imposed a R10 000 fine on Mashatile for failing to declare the diamond in the confidential section of his financial interests register. ALSO READ: Mashatile reveals he spent R2.3m on travel, food, and laundry for Japan trip The fine follows a formal complaint by the DA regarding the matter. Mashatile had defended his actions by stating he had been awaiting an appraisal to confirm the diamond's authenticity and value before disclosing it. However, the committee concluded that this did not exempt him from his duty to declare the gift. The diamond in question was reportedly handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in light of Liebenberg's arrest last year on charges that include fraud, theft, racketeering, and money laundering. Mashatile declares luxury property Mashatile has faced mounting scrutiny in recent months over his perceived opulent lifestyle and close ties to individuals implicated in corruption, including businessman Edwin Sodi. The diamond gift from Liebenberg — along with Mashatile's recent disclosures involving high-end properties — has further heightened public scrutiny. The deputy president declared ownership of a R28.9 million estate in Constantia, Cape Town, despite previously denying any property ownership in the area. His office had insisted in October last year that he had no properties in Cape Town aside from a house in Kelvin, Johannesburg, purchased through a bank loan with his late wife. At the time, the Constantia property was reportedly owned by a company connected to his son-in-law However, new disclosures made this year list the 4 000-square-metre Constantia house as Mashatile's, along with a 9 300-square-metre home in Waterfall, Midrand, reportedly valued at R37 million and the Kelvin residence. The Hawks are currently investigating Mashatile following criminal charges laid by the DA. Last year, Mashatile declared ownership of two properties, one located in Midrand spanning 1 000 by 1 200 square metres, and another in Sandton covering 600 by 800 square metres. NOW READ: Mashatile denies family tied to multibillion-rand lottery deal