{
  "id": 3062305,
  "title": "Accused 1 in Lusikisiki mass murders says he was unarmed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/accused-1-in-lusikisiki-mass-murders-says-he-was-unarmed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T16:19:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/accused-1-in-lusikisiki-mass-murders-says-he-was-unarmed/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The trial of six men accused of the mass murders at Ngobozana in Lusikisiki continued at Mthatha High Court's special sitting in Lusikisiki. Accused number one, Mzukisi Ndamase, questioned accused number three, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, about his claim of being unarmed during the killings. Ndamase aimed to prove Myekethe's dishonesty by demonstrating their prior associations with the other accused men. Myekethe confirmed familiarity with accused number two, Aphiwe Ndende, accused number four, Bonga Hintsa, and accused number five, Songezo Vuma, but claimed not to know them during testimony. Ndamase argued Myekethe lied during the identity parade and his statement, as he omitted mentioning Abi's name, despite protecting the state witness, Lwando Abi. Myekethe admitted feeling apprehensive about his family's safety due to Abi's wealth and connections with the police, leading him to conceal that information. Ndamase claimed Myekethe falsely pointed to Mashiya's home as a location for orchestrating the killings.",
  "summary": "Ndamase argued that Myekethe lied during the identity parade.",
  "key_points": [
    "Accused number one, Mzukisi Ndamase, denies Myekethe's claim of being unarmed.",
    "Ndamase alleges Myekethe omitted Abi's name during identity parade despite protecting Lwando Abi.",
    "Ndamase claims Myekethe falsely pointed to Mashiya's home for the killings."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}