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Six suspects arrested for the mass murders of 18 people in the Eastern Cape last month, appeared in court in Lusikisiki on Thursday.
Two of the suspects, Zenande Paya, and Mawethu Nomdlembu, made their first appearances in the town’s Magistrate’s Court after their case was transferred from the Flagstaff district.
The National Prosecuting Authority said they were initially charged with four counts of the unlawful possession of three AK47 assault rifles and a 243 Steyr Mannlicher rifle, and the possession of 82 live rounds of ammunition.
Regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said Paya and Nomdlembu elected to be represented by a Legal Aid attorney, and they also indicated that they want to apply for bail.
The court postponed their case to 29 October, and Tyali said the state will oppose their bail application.
Read More: Lusikisiki massacre - four more behind bars
Their four co-accused have all abandoned their bail application.
They are Siphosoxolo Myekethe (45), Aphiwe "AP" Ndende (25), Lwando Antony Abi (33) and Bonga Hintsa (31).
All six face 18 counts of murder and one count of possession of unlicensed firearms.
Authorities said Paya and Nomdlwembu were arrested in Flagstaff on 17 October where they were found with four rifles and ammunition that were allegedly moved to other locations after the Lusikisiki killings.
Two of the men, Ndende and Hintsa were arrested in Port Shepstone while Abi was apprehended in East London on Wednesday 16 October 2024.
Myekethe was arrested on 07 October 2024 at his home in Mthimde Location, Mamfengwini Area in the district of Lusikisiki.
Also Read: Mchunu apologises to families of 18 people murdered in Lusikisiki
