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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mzukisi Ndamase (46) is kept in South Africa’s “Supermax” prison in Kokstad, but it is alleged that he had been able to plan and execute the murders of 18 people in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, from his prison cell.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The victims, all members of an extended family, were </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-29-everyone-was-home-for-ceremony-18th-victim-dies-in-lusikisiki-mass-shooting/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home for a traditional ceremony</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and sleeping when men broke into their home and killed 18 people. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2394626\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_6016.jpg\" alt=\"Lusikisiki massacre family home\" width=\"1902\" height=\"1071\" /> The family home where 17 people were brutally murdered (the 18th victim later died in hospital). Outside, neighbours came to pay their respects. Inside, there were bloodstained walls pockmarked with bullet holes. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ndamase has been in prison since 2007, where he is serving a life sentence for murder and robbery. He scowled and declined legal representation on Thursday, 31 October 2024, while appearing in court, heavily shackled and guarded by armed police officers and Correctional Services officials. He also declined an opportunity to apply for bail.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-10-03-their-silence-is-talking-to-us-police-minister-vows-to-bring-lusikisiki-mass-murderers-to-justice/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">‘Their silence is talking to us’ – police minister vows to bring Lusikisiki mass murderers to justice</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the investigators had only one more aspect of the case to investigate, and that was the money trail. He said the police were doing excellent work, and at this stage, they did not want to divulge the links between the deceased and the accused as they feared that this might compromise the investigation.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Department of Correctional Services has not yet commented on the allegations that the hit was planned from behind bars.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyali said investigators managed to link Ndamase and his co-accused through their phone records.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2440214 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Vince-Lusikisiki-ak47s-1.jpg\" alt=\"lusikisiki massacre accused\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1100\" /> <em>From left: Some of the co-accused in the Lusikisiki massacre: Bonga ‘Rico’ Hintsa, Lwando Anthony ‘Shakes’ Abi, Songezo ‘Mashiya’ Vuma and Aphiwe ‘AP’ Ndende. (Photos: Supplied)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accused currently before the court are: Ndamase, who has been in prison since 2007 and is serving time for murder and robbery. It is alleged that he was the mastermind behind the brutal attack; Songezo “Mashiya” Vuma (20); Bonga “Rico” Hintsa (31), who has a previous conviction for drug possession in Flagstaff; Aphiwe “AP” Ndende (25) who was out on bail on a charge of murder but had absconded from his trial; and Lwando Anthony “Shakes” Abi (31), who previously served seven years of a 10-year sentence for attempted murder.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first accused to be arrested was </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45), who was on parole after serving 21 years of a life sentence.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-10-10-lusikisiki-shooting-suspect-was-freed-21-years-after-life-sentence/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suspected hitman in Lusikisiki mass shooting was released 21 years after receiving life imprisonment</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ndende and Hintsa were arrested in Port Shepstone and Abi was apprehended in East London on Wednesday, 16 October 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2440217\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/36917986-f18e-4674-96a5-79e9f59eab70.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" /> <em>A police photographer takes photos of the rifles linked to the massacre. (Photos: Supplied)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2440216\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/dc1fcf89-11f5-48c1-8e06-b8948a9c1ad0.jpg\" alt=\"lusikisiki massacre rifles\" width=\"819\" height=\"1139\" /> <em>The rifles seized by the SAPS in Flagstaff has been linked with the Lusikisiki massacre. (Photo: Supplied)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two other men were arrested after they were found to be in possession of four firearms ballistically linked to the attack. They are Zenande Paya (38) and Mawethu Nomdlembu (36). The firearms are three AK47 assault rifles and a 243 Steyr Mannlicher rifle, as well as 82 live rounds of ammunition.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The suspects who initially indicated that they would like to apply for bail have subsequently abandoned their bail applications.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fifteen women and three men died in the attack. Their names are:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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). </span><b>DM</b>",
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"name": "The rifles seized by the SAPS in Flagstaff has been linked with the Lusikisiki massacre.\n(Photo: Supplied)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mzukisi Ndamase (46) is kept in South Africa’s “Supermax” prison in Kokstad, but it is alleged that he had been able to plan and execute the murders of 18 people in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, from his prison cell.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The victims, all members of an extended family, were </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-29-everyone-was-home-for-ceremony-18th-victim-dies-in-lusikisiki-mass-shooting/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home for a traditional ceremony</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and sleeping when men broke into their home and killed 18 people. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2394626\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1902\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2394626\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_6016.jpg\" alt=\"Lusikisiki massacre family home\" width=\"1902\" height=\"1071\" /> The family home where 17 people were brutally murdered (the 18th victim later died in hospital). Outside, neighbours came to pay their respects. Inside, there were bloodstained walls pockmarked with bullet holes. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ndamase has been in prison since 2007, where he is serving a life sentence for murder and robbery. He scowled and declined legal representation on Thursday, 31 October 2024, while appearing in court, heavily shackled and guarded by armed police officers and Correctional Services officials. He also declined an opportunity to apply for bail.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-10-03-their-silence-is-talking-to-us-police-minister-vows-to-bring-lusikisiki-mass-murderers-to-justice/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">‘Their silence is talking to us’ – police minister vows to bring Lusikisiki mass murderers to justice</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the investigators had only one more aspect of the case to investigate, and that was the money trail. He said the police were doing excellent work, and at this stage, they did not want to divulge the links between the deceased and the accused as they feared that this might compromise the investigation.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Department of Correctional Services has not yet commented on the allegations that the hit was planned from behind bars.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyali said investigators managed to link Ndamase and his co-accused through their phone records.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2440214\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2200\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2440214 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Vince-Lusikisiki-ak47s-1.jpg\" alt=\"lusikisiki massacre accused\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1100\" /> <em>From left: Some of the co-accused in the Lusikisiki massacre: Bonga ‘Rico’ Hintsa, Lwando Anthony ‘Shakes’ Abi, Songezo ‘Mashiya’ Vuma and Aphiwe ‘AP’ Ndende. (Photos: Supplied)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accused currently before the court are: Ndamase, who has been in prison since 2007 and is serving time for murder and robbery. It is alleged that he was the mastermind behind the brutal attack; Songezo “Mashiya” Vuma (20); Bonga “Rico” Hintsa (31), who has a previous conviction for drug possession in Flagstaff; Aphiwe “AP” Ndende (25) who was out on bail on a charge of murder but had absconded from his trial; and Lwando Anthony “Shakes” Abi (31), who previously served seven years of a 10-year sentence for attempted murder.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first accused to be arrested was </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45), who was on parole after serving 21 years of a life sentence.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-10-10-lusikisiki-shooting-suspect-was-freed-21-years-after-life-sentence/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suspected hitman in Lusikisiki mass shooting was released 21 years after receiving life imprisonment</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ndende and Hintsa were arrested in Port Shepstone and Abi was apprehended in East London on Wednesday, 16 October 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2440217\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"960\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2440217\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/36917986-f18e-4674-96a5-79e9f59eab70.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" /> <em>A police photographer takes photos of the rifles linked to the massacre. (Photos: Supplied)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2440216\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"819\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2440216\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/dc1fcf89-11f5-48c1-8e06-b8948a9c1ad0.jpg\" alt=\"lusikisiki massacre rifles\" width=\"819\" height=\"1139\" /> <em>The rifles seized by the SAPS in Flagstaff has been linked with the Lusikisiki massacre. (Photo: Supplied)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two other men were arrested after they were found to be in possession of four firearms ballistically linked to the attack. They are Zenande Paya (38) and Mawethu Nomdlembu (36). The firearms are three AK47 assault rifles and a 243 Steyr Mannlicher rifle, as well as 82 live rounds of ammunition.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The suspects who initially indicated that they would like to apply for bail have subsequently abandoned their bail applications.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fifteen women and three men died in the attack. Their names are:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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). </span><b>DM</b>",
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"summary": "A man serving a life sentence for murder and robbery appeared in the Luskisiki Magistrates’ Court on Thursday as the prosecution alleges that he was the one who planned the massacre. He stands accused of planning the brutal execution of 18 people from inside his prison cell.",
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The family home where 17 people were brutally murdered (the 18th victim later died in hospital). Outside, neighbours came to pay their respects. Inside, there were bloodstained walls pockmarked with bullet holes. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)
From left: Some of the co-accused in the Lusikisiki massacre: Bonga ‘Rico’ Hintsa, Lwando Anthony ‘Shakes’ Abi, Songezo ‘Mashiya’ Vuma and Aphiwe ‘AP’ Ndende. (Photos: Supplied)
A police photographer takes photos of the rifles linked to the massacre. (Photos: Supplied)
The rifles seized by the SAPS in Flagstaff has been linked with the Lusikisiki massacre. (Photo: Supplied)