By Johnathan Paoli
In a significant development regarding the tragic Lusikisiki massacre, three of the accused allegedly responsible for the killing of 18 people in the village of Ngobozana have abandoned their bail applications.
Aphiwe Ndende, Anthony Lwando and Bonga Hinsta face multiple charges, including 18 counts of murder.
Their decision to withdraw the bail application comes amid ongoing investigations and heightened scrutiny from law enforcement agencies.
Ndende, who has a history of criminal activity, was out on bail since 2022 when he failed to appear for a murder trial.
He is currently under an order to attend court, raising concerns about his previous compliance with legal mandates.
The are expected to return to court on 26 November.
The investigation into the massacre has also led to the arrest of two additional suspects in Flagstaff, Eastern Cape.
These men were apprehended after allegedly being found in possession of high-calibre firearms believed to be used in the mass killings.
The weapons recovered include three AK-47 automatic rifles and a .243 Steyr Mannlicher rifle, underscoring the severity and planning that may have gone into the crime.
SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said on Friday that the firearms were located through intelligence and meticulous detective work.
Mathe said the weapons were moved from a different location after the massacre and were currently undergoing ballistic testing to confirm their use in the killings, as well as exploring connections to other crimes.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola welcomed the swift response and assistance of communities that provided vital information leading to the arrests.
He noted that within 24 hours of issuing an alert, law enforcement received crucial tips that facilitated the capture of the suspects.
“The support from South Africans has been overwhelming and showcases the collective resolve to combat violent crime,” he said.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) commended the prompt actions taken by the police in apprehending the suspects.
Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo on Friday highlighted the dedication and professionalism of police officers. despite the challenging environment in which they operated.
Mamabolo emphasised the importance of ensuring that these arrests led to swift and decisive prosecutions, holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
“Such operations disrupt criminal activity and send a strong message that crime will not be tolerated,” he said.
The spokesperson called on community members to continue supporting law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities and collaborating with police to foster safer neighbourhoods.
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