Lusikisiki Massacre: Alleged Mastermind Maintains Innocence, SA Split As He Wants Charges Dropped
- Mzukisi Ndamase has pleaded not guilty to the 24 charges against him in the Lusikisiki High Court
- Ndamase is the alleged mastermind behind the Lusikisiki massacre, which left 18 people dead in 2024
- South Africans shared mixed reactions online to Ndamase's claims that he was innocent and his alibi
Source: Twitter
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
EASTERN CAPE - Mzukisi Ndamase, the alleged mastermind behind the Lusikisiki massacre, wants the State to drop all charges against him.
Ndamase pleaded not guilty to the 24 charges against him as the trial got underway at the Lusikisiki High Court on Monday, 28 July 2025. He appeared alongside five other men who were arrested in connection with the brutal murder of 18 people in Ngobozana, Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape in September 2024.
Songezo Vuma (20), Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45), Aphiwe Ndende (25), Bonga Hintsa (31), and Mawethu Nomdlembu (36) are all facing charges of murder, kidnapping, and robbery with aggravating circumstances, as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Ndamase has maintained his innocence, insisting that he couldn't have orchestrated the crime.
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Why does Ndamase maintain that he’s innocent?
During his appearance in court, Ndamase arrived with a stack of documents as he opted to represent himself. He maintained that he was innocent, saying that he was in jail at the time of the crime. Ndamase is serving a life sentence for murder and robbery.
“I have a reason that I can give to the court as to why I say I did not commit these crimes. When these crimes were committed, I was already in jail, 17 years in. There was never a point where I was allowed to leave the prison and live a normal life,” Ndamase said.
Maintaining that he has been in prison since 2007, he also asked that the State withdraw the charges against him. The State denied his request.
Source: Twitter
What you need to know about the Lusikisiki massacre
- An 18th victim passed away following the mass shooting in Lusikisiki, which originally left 15 women and two men dead.
- Three murder suspects appeared in court for the mass murder, as police also arrested two other men.
- A mass funeral was held in October 2024 for 15 of the people killed in the Lusikisiki mass shooting.
- Two men appeared in court after they were arrested in Flagstaff in possession of high-calibre guns linked to the Lusikisiki shootings.
- In February 2025, the Lusikisiki mass murder trial was postponed following the appearance of the eight suspects in court.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were divided by the news, with some worried that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would mess up, while others questioned if Ndamase was really guilty.
Papago Makhanani Le Vusaseki stated:
“The NPA will fumble it like they fumbled the Meyiwa and Omotoso cases.”
Donald Kgokong-Lerobane Madihlaba said:
“He's drunk. He's guilty, you can tell.”
Mkhangisa Philani added:
“For some reason, I believe this guy is just a scapegoat.”
Lydia Mamake Mngomezulu suggested:
“Take the plea deal, they will give you a light sentence.
Innocent Matonyane said:
“Maybe he is right. Maybe they arrested him to save those who are untouchable.”
Bandile Mpophoma questioned:
“Withdraw charges? After 18 people died?”
Charges dropped against two Lusikisiki suspects
Briefly News reported that charges were dropped against two of the eight suspects arrested for the Lusikisiki massacre.
The State added additional charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The men were arrested in connection with the mass shooting in the Eastern Cape in September 2024, which left 18 people dead.
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Source: Briefly News
