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A 45-year-old parolee appeared in the Lusikisiki Magistrate's court on Wednesday, charged with the murders of 18 people in a massacre that shocked the crime-weary nation.
The National Prosecuting Authority said Siphosoxolo Myekethe is facing 18 charges of murder and one count of the possession of an unlicenced firearm, an AK47 assault rifle.
NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said he was out on parole for murder and escaping from custody.
He said the case was postponed to next Tuesday to allow for further criminal profiling and to determine his parole status.
Myekethe elected to be represented by an attorney from Legal Aid SA and also indicated his intention to apply for bail which the state intends to oppose.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkholi, said Myekethe was arrested on Monday at his homestead in Mcothini village outside Lusikisiki.
The gruesome murders of mostly women, were roundly condemned, with the Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha, describing it as barbaric and Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, saying the "loss of life on this scale" was a devastating blow for the province.
On Saturday, 28 September, gunmen, reportedly armed with automatic weapons, opened fire on people in two houses in a village in Lusikisiki, killing 17 of their victims, while the 18th person died later in hospital.
Thirteen people, 12 women and a man, were killed in one house, while in another, four people were killed.
During his visit to the area, the Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has apologised to the families during a private meeting and later at a public engagement.
"We accept their criticism, we except their views, we understand the situation. What we want to say as the Department of Police, we are sorry that at the hour when those people needed us we were not there, and we couldn't be there to protect them.
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