High-ranking police officer denies link to Lusikisiki massacre torture claims

Brig Duduzile Ngculu, the Eastern Cape head of serious and violent crimes, took the stand on Thursday as the final witness in a trial-within-a-trial in theLusikisiki massacrecase, denying allegations that she was present when an accused was tortured. Ngculu, the lead investigator, testified at the Mthatha high court sitting in Lusikisiki, where the court is examining theadmissibility of confessionsmade by three accused — Aphiwe Ndende, Siphosoxolo Myekethe and Bonga Hintsa. Ndende’s lawyer, Mawande Nokwali, put it to Ngculu that she was present when his client was assaulted during an interview.

“My client will tell the court that you were present when he was suffocated by a plastic put over his head and when he was assaulted during the interview,” Nokwali said. “My client says it was you who shouted at the police officers who were torturing him. You ordered them to stop.

“Later, you ordered all other investigators to leave the boardroom where the interview was being held. It was only you and the accused that were left behind. “Then you told him to speak to save himself from the torture, saying you can see that he is being suffocated.” Ngculu denied the allegations, telling the court she was not involved in the interviews.

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Nokwali further alleged that Ndende was not fed throughout the day of his interrogation on October 17 2024. “It was only you who came to assist,” Nokwali said. “My client heard you shouting over the phone that the accused was not fed and demanded that food be arranged for him.”

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