Massacre accused admits killing ANC leader ‘on instructions of Ndamase’

One of the six men on trial for the Lusikisiki massacre has admitted that he took part in the execution-style murder of former ANC Alfred Nzo regional executive committee leader and Umzimvubu councillor Mncedisi “Sncane” Gijana. He told the Mthatha High Court sitting in Lusikisiki that the killing was carried out on the instructions of alleged mastermind Mzukisi Ndamase. “The killing of Sncane …

was a very great tragedy that we ever did, me and [Songezo Vuma], as per the instruction of [Mzukisi Ndamase],” accused Aphiwe “AP” Ndende testified on Tuesday. The trial took a dramatic turn as Ndende publicly admitted for the first time in court that he participated in Gijana’s murder, saying he acted on Ndamase’s instructions because “no one dared defy” him. For almost a year, Ndende pleaded not guilty and challenged the admissibility of his confession, claiming it had been obtained through police brutality.

After a trial-within-a-trial, however, judge Richard Brooks ruled the confession admissible, together with those of three co-accused. Gijana, whom the court heard was a feared drug dealer in KwaBhaca, was shot execution-style at his Lubhacweni home on August 19 2024. Ndende said Ndamase instructed him to film the killing while Vuma fired multiple shots at Gijana, who had been forced to sit on a couch.

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He testified that before the shooting, Ndamase spoke to Gijana on speakerphone. “Sncane was crying and apologising, saying that he would fix things up and ensure that [Ndamase] was released soon.

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