Lusikisiki mass murder trial: Defence lawyers set to continue leading evidence

Defence lawyers in the Lusikisiki mass murder trial linked to the deaths of 18 people in Ngobozana village in the Eastern Cape are set to continue leading evidence from the accused persons in the matter on Monday.

The trial is back in the Mthatha High Court sitting in Lusikisiki for its third phase.

During the second phase in February, the court admitted some of the accused.

However, some of their statements, with claims of assault by police, have led to a trial within a trial.

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Claims by accused two, Aphiwe Ndende, accused three, Siphoxolo Mayekethe and accused four, Bonga Hintsa, have brought the case to a trial within a trial.

The pair nabbed in Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal weeks after the brutal murders back in October 2024 claim to have been tortured by police officers.

They told the court that they were forced by arresting officers to make confessions admitting to the crime.

They said the said statements were made under duress.

A total of 16 police officers, including investigating officers, have testified, denying the allegations of torture or any physical assault of the suspects.

The group is linked to a total of 19 murders, including those of a businessman and politician in Kwabhaca, as well as fire and ammunition-related charges.

They will all return to the dock as the defence pushes to prove the allegations of assault.