Latest news with #LuxoloTyali
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Lusikisiki mass killings trial postponed as main accused asks for time to review new documents
DURBAN - The case involving six men accused of the mass killing of 18 family members in Lusikisiki has been postponed until Wednesday. 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'
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Fort Hare corruption case split into five parts to speed up prosecution
The complex corruption case has been divided for more efficient trials across East London courts. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has split the R172 million University of Fort Hare case into five legs to streamline the prosecution of the 21 accused. The NPA announced on Friday it had separated the Fort Hare fraud, corruption and money laundering charges into five separate cases. The state said this complicated and multifaceted case would be prosecuted more quickly and simpler by dividing it into different legs with specialised prosecution tactics for each. Fort Hare case split to speed up prosecution The legs will be allocated to five different presiding regional court magistrates in the East London Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the legs had been separated after the finalisation of the charge sheets. ALSO READ: Hitmen linked to murder of Fort Hare VC's bodyguard arrested 'Each magistrate will arrange trial dates with the respective legal representatives,' Tyali said. There are 21 accused in the five legs, including UFH employees, service providers, and their business entities. Nine of the accused were Fort Hare employees who are alleged to have conspired with service providers and their businesses to award contracts in exchange for benefits. R172 million More than R172 million was paid by the university to the service providers, with the bulk allegedly finding its way into the pockets of the accused staff members. At the university, the conclusion of these tenders was allegedly linked to violent incidents, including murder. ALSO READ: Hawks arrest three in R2m fraud scandal at University of Fort Hare The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the Eastern Cape, advocate Barry Madolo, has also withdrawn charges against Cape Town forensic lawyer Sarah Burger, who was initially charged with the 21 others. 'This decision was taken after lengthy engagements between the complainant (Fort Hare), the Eastern Cape prosecution team and Burger's legal representatives,' Tyali said. In April, three people were arrested in connection with the case. Three arrested in April The accused, former acting chief financial officer Simbongile Geqeza, 41, former head of investigation and vetting Isaac Plaatjies, 57, and family friend Claudine Davids, 44, were each granted bail of R10 000. According to the South African Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security cluster, the investigation uncovered two separate fraudulent schemes orchestrated by the accused. NOW READ: Three Fort Hare University murder suspects wanted as arrest warrants issued
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Lusikisiki Mass Murder Trial Set to Begin Next Week
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. Image: SAPS 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 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.
The Herald
7 days ago
- The Herald
Pastor accused of murdering 12-year-old family member denied bail
A man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering his 12-year-old sister-in-law in Motherwell has been denied bail. It is alleged that on June 24, the 39-year-old, who is also a pastor and founder of the Holy Burning Fire Ministries of God, kidnapped Lithaliyanda Ntoni and took her to bushes in NU6, Motherwell, murdered her and set her body alight. She was reported missing after she failed to return home from a nearby shop earlier that day. Her burnt body was discovered in the bushes in the early hours of June 27. 'The state opposed bail because the murder was [allegedly] premeditated, there was a likelihood of him evading trial and he could use his influence to threaten witnesses,' National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said. The matter was postponed to August 28 for further investigation. 'The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that justice is served for victims of violent crime, especially those who are most vulnerable in our society,' Tyali said. The Herald
Eyewitness News
04-06-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Eastern Cape teacher accused of beating learner with a hosepipe
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has issued a stern warning to teachers against using corporal punishment to discipline learners. This comes as a teacher from Zamokuhle Junior Secondary School in Matatiele is due back in court later this month, accused of beating a 12-year-old learner with a hosepipe. The learner's mother, who asked that we not name her or her son, told GroundUp that her child returned from school with dark bruises on his buttocks on 19 May. According to the learner, on the day of the incident, he and three other learners were washing their dishes after lunch, after the bell had rung for them to return to classes. He said a male teacher approached them and instructed them to follow him to the staff room to 'punish them' for being late to class. 'He took the hosepipe and hit my classmate three times on his hand. The second classmate was beaten three times on the bum. The third classmate was also beaten on bums seven times,' said the learner. 'I stopped counting at eight while he was beating me. I started feeling numb, I didn't cry anymore,' he said. The learner said he returned to class and was in pain for the rest of the day. 'I wanted to go home but I didn't want to get in trouble again. The pain was unbearable, I was crying but trying to be strong at the same time,' he said. His mother said she went to the school to report the matter, but she was snubbed by the other teachers. She then decided to open a case at the police station. The teacher has since apologised. 'To be honest I now feel sorry for him, I don't want him to lose his job,' said the mother. When GroundUp contacted the school for comment, we were told by the person who answered the call that the teacher had resigned. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the teacher faces charges relating to corporal punishment at the Maluti Magistrates Court. His next court appearance will be on 25 June. Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Vuyiseka Mboxela warned that corporal punishment is against the Constitution and the department's policies. She said she had asked the school for more details. Equal Education Law Centre Attorney Ebrahiem Daniels said though it is illegal, corporal punishment continues in schools. He said the organisation gets reports of corporal punishment from across the country. Daniels said there is a lack of training and support for teachers about other forms of discipline. 'Without the tools to manage classrooms constructively, some teachers continue to resort to physical punishment. Research consistently shows that corporal punishment is not only ineffective but also harmful. 'It is linked to increased aggression, anti-social behaviour, and long-term emotional harm. Rather than correcting behaviour, it reinforces the idea that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems,' said Daniels. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
