Suspect charged over Lusikisiki Massacre was on parole for murder and escaping from custody

The man arrested in connection with the massacre of 18 people in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, on 27 September has previous convictions for murder and was out on parole for murder and escaping from custody.

Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45) is facing 18 charges of murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm, an AK-47 assault rifle. He appeared briefly in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 9 October 2024.

He is from another village in Lusikisiki.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the accused was arrested on 7 October 2024 at his home in Mthimde Location, Mamfengwini Area in the district of Lusikisiki. He said he wanted a Legal Aid attorney and to apply for bail.

Tyali said the investigating team and prosecutors do not yet have Myekethe’s full criminal profile, which would set out his previous convictions, and they will only have it ready by his next court appearance.

National Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said they saw the name on the media statement issued by the NPA. 

“He [Myekethe] is in our records as a parolee,” Nxumalo said.

“At this stage, we are looking into our records and working closely with the investigating team assigned to the case.”

Asked if they would withdraw his parole, Nxumalo said: “We have standard procedures for dealing with parolees charged with criminal cases. Such procedures will be followed… it is important that we are furnished with relevant information so that we are able to finalise our processes.”

Tyali added: “The prosecution will be opposing bail [for] the alleged murderer, who has two previous convictions for escaping from lawful custody and murder, for which he is out on parole.”

The case had been remanded to 15 October 2024 for further criminal profiling, a report from Correctional Services regarding his parole status, and a possible bail application.

Read more: ‘Their silence is talking to us’ – police minister vows to bring Lusikisiki mass murderers to justice

Eastern Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene described the arrest as a major breakthrough and commended the collaborative effort by various law enforcement units.

“Police will make every effort to ensure that all those responsible for the shooting are brought to justice,” Mene said.

Late on Friday, 27 September 2024 gunmen gained access to two houses in Ngobozana Village and gunned down 17 residents. An 18th victim died later in hospital. The motive for the attack is not yet known.

During one of his visits to Lusikisiki, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the gunmen “took their time” and used different firearms to kill the people in the houses.

Read more: ‘Everyone was home for ceremony’ – 18th victim dies in Lusikisiki mass shooting

Fifteen women and three men died in the attack. They are:

Thobile Sinqina (37), ⁠Nonkanyiso Dukuza (19), Ruth King (21), ⁠Mandisa Dlokweni (59), ⁠Samantha Sinqina (26), ⁠Lungiswa Gawulekana (51), ⁠Thandeka Mhlaluvele (46), Mary Sinqina (63), Nombuliso Dukuza (32), Mathembisile Mayekiso-Sinqina (64), ⁠Nobelungu France (59), Themi Vimba (41), Nomazwi Ndleleni (59), Smomoza Sinqina (14), ⁠Nancy Sinqina (59), ⁠Dimpho Sinqina (30), Thali King Sinqina (26) and Sigobodo Gxobela (59).

Another person of interest, taken in for questioning last week, has been released. DM