Lusikisiki massacre accused abandons bail

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The man accused of Lusikisiki mass killing of eighteen people has abandoned his bail application in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Siphosoxolo Myekethe was out on parole for murder when he was arrested for the recent massacre where 18 people were killed and five others were injured.

The 45-year-old made his first appearance a week ago, facing 18 charges of murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm, an AK-47 assault rifle.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority(NPA), he was arrested at his home in Mthimde location, Mamfengwini area in the district of Lusikisiki.

The NPA said his arrest comes after the shooting that occurred on Saturday, September 28, at two neighbouring homesteads in Ngobozana Village near the town of Lusikisiki.

“During his brief appearance, he informed the court that he would not be applying for bail, which the prosecution had already indicated it would be opposing.

“Myekethe has two previous convictions for escaping from lawful custody and murder,” the NPA Eastern Cape spokesperson Luxolo Tyali remarked.

The case has been remanded to Tuesday, November 26, for further investigations.

Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt in tracing four wanted dangerous suspects possibly linked to the Lusikisiki mass murders. 

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Songezo ‘Mashiya’ Vuma, 20, Bonga ‘Rico’ Hintsa, 31, Aphiwe ‘AP’ Ndende, 25, and Lwando Anthony ‘Abi’ Shakes, 31, would be able to assist the police in solving the Lusikisiki mass murder case. 

She confirmed that investigations are at an advanced stage and advised the foursome to hand themselves over at a nearest police station. 

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“We caution members of the public not to confront these suspects as they are considered to be dangerous and may be heavily armed, but rather to come forward with any information regarding their whereabouts,” she added.