Youngest Lusikisiki massacre accused confesses

In a dramatic development in the Lusikisiki massacre trial, the youngest of the accused has confessed to his role in the mass shooting and the separate murder of a political leader. Songezo Vuma, 21, previously regarded as the trusted lieutenant of alleged mastermind Mzukisi Ndamase, also implicated Ndamase and two other co-accused in the murder of Alfred Nzo ANC regional leader Mncedisi “Sincane” Gijana in KwaBhaca. Vuma’s confession relating to Gijana’s murder was read into the record of the Mthatha high court sitting in Lusikisiki on Wednesday by Detective Captain Mninawe Ngqungqa of the Tsolo police and accepted as evidence.

Despite his confession, Vuma maintains he is not guilty, as he claims to have been forced into committing the killings by Ndamase. A second confession, dealing with the killing of 18 people in Ngobozana village, Lusikisiki, on September 28 2024, could not be read after court proceedings were interrupted by a power failure. Gijana was gunned down at his home in KwaBhaca on August 19 2024.

In his statement, Vuma, represented by attorney Velile Mgcotyelwa, said he, Aphiwe Ndende, 25, and Bonga “Rico” Hintsa carried out the killing on Ndamase’s instructions. “It was myself with my two friends, Aphiwe and Bonga, who went to search and kill Gijana, who was also known as Sincane. Each of us was armed with an AK-47.

[paywall]

“We were ordered by Mzukisi Ndamase to go and look and kill Sincane,” Vuma said in his confession. He said Hintsa remained outside while he and Ndende entered the house, where they initially held two children hostage, followed later by two adults who arrived from a nearby shop. They were alerted by Hintsa that Gijana had arrived and was heading to his flat on the property. “Aphiwe shot him on the leg as he was trying to unlock the door.

[/paywall]