Case against Lusikisiki massacre accused postponed

DURBAN - The court case of the man linked to the Lusikisiki massacre, in the Eastern Cape, has been postponed to next week.

The 45-year-old made his first appearance in the local magistrates court on Wednesday after he was arrested on Monday.

He faces 18 counts of murder and one of possession of an unlicensed firearm – in relation to the mass killing of 18 relatives at Ngobazana village.

The murder-accused who is yet to be identified made a brief appearance at the Lusikisiki Magistrates Court.

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He is linked to the murders of the 16 women and two two men who were shot and killed execution-style in two separate homes a week ago.

“During his brief appearance, the accused elected to be represented by a legal aid attorney and stated his intention to apply for bail. The prosecution will be opposing bail against the alleged murderer," said the National Prosecuting Authority's spokesperson - Luxolo Tyali.

The accused also has two previous convictions for escaping from legal custody and murder - which he is out on parole for.  

The matter was postponed as he still needs to get legal representation.

He is set to return to the dock next Tuesday.