Four men were tragically shot and killed while sitting in a silver Toyota Corolla on Thursday evening along Thanduxolo Mbete Street in the Qaqawuli area of KwaZakhele.
Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, said officers at New Brighton were alerted to a shooting incident. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of the four victims inside the vehicle.
The identities of the victims and the suspects remain unknown, and the motive for the murders is under investigation.
“A murder case, encompassing four counts, has been opened by SAPS New Brighton. The Eastern Cape provincial serious violent crime investigation (SVCI) unit has taken over the investigation,” said Beetge.
“Police are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is urged to contact SVCI detective Lieutenant Colonel Sithole at 082 457 2812 or the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs are welcome.”
On Thursday, reported that 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. 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.
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