Lusikisiki mass murder suspect abandons bail

A 45-year-old man suspected of the murder of 18 people in the Eastern Cape has abandoned his bail application in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court in the Eastern Cape.

Siphosoxolo Myekethe – who was on parole during his arrest – appeared in the court on Tuesday. 

“During his brief appearance, he informed the court that he would not be applying for bail, which the prosecution had already indicated it would be opposing. 

“Myekethe has two previous convictions for escaping from lawful custody and murder,” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said.

Tyali said the case has been postponed to 26 November 2024 for further investigation, as “there are outstanding suspects on the matter”. 

“He is facing 18 charges of murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm, an AK47 assault rifle. 

“The accused was arrested on 7 October 2024 at his home in Mthide location… in the district of Lusikisiki. 

“His arrest comes after the shooting that occurred on 28 September 2024, at two neighbouring homesteads in Ngobozana village near the town of Lusikisiki. Eighteen people were killed, and five others were injured,” Tyali said. 

Cabinet has condemned the mass shooting and welcomed the progress made in the case.

“Cabinet has welcomed the swift deployment of a team of specialist law enforcement officers — whose work is already bearing fruits — to investigate these shooting incidents, with one suspect, who is directly linked to the murder of 18 people in Lusikisiki, having already appeared in court,” Cabinet said in a statement on Thursday.

READ | Cabinet welcomes crime fighting efforts 

Myekethe made a first appearance in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in connection with the massacre.

President Cyril Ramaphosa  had previously also conveyed his condolences to the families of the 18 people killed last month. – SAnews.gov.za