𝗟𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗸𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗸𝗶 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Chilling details emerged in the Mthatha High Court sitting in Lusikisiki as accused number four, Bonga Hintsa, recounted the final moments of slain African National Congress (ANC) regional leader Mncedisi “Sncane” Gijana.
Hintsa testified that Gijana was executed on the explicit orders of imprisoned alleged mastermind Mzukisi Ndamase, who demanded a video confirmation of the assassination via WhatsApp.
Gijana, an ANC Alfred Nzo regional executive member, was gunned down at his home in Lubhacweni village, KwaBhaca, on 19 August 2024. His murder has been combined with the high-profile trial of six men accused of the subsequent Lusikisiki massacre, where 18 people were slaughtered in Ngobozana village. The state alleges Ndamase orchestrated both hits from inside Wellington Prison using cellphones.
Hintsa told the court that Gijana and Ndamase shared a deep criminal past long before Gijana entered mainstream local politics. When Ndamase was still a free man, the two were close associates who allegedly targeted armoured vehicles in high-stakes cash-in-transit heists. Gijana even had an affectionate nickname for Ndamase, calling him “Ntandane.”
However, the relationship soured after Ndamase was handed a life sentence. According to prior court submissions, Ndamase ordered the hit because he believed Gijana had taken over his lucrative drug territories and was actively working to keep him behind bars.
On the night of the murder, Hintsa, alongside co-accused Songezo Vuma and Aphiwe Ndende, cornered the politician at his residence. Realising his fate, a desperate Gijana managed to call Ndamase directly in prison, pleading for his life. “My brother, we have come a very long way together. I cannot be killed by you,” Gijana reportedly begged his former partner.
The plea fell on deaf ears. Hintsa testified that Ndamase coldly instructed that the mobile phone be handed over to Vuma. Ndamase then ordered his hitmen to execute the politician on the spot and immediately send a video recording of the act to his phone.
Hintsa confirmed to the court that they carried out the order, filming the execution before forwarding the footage to Ndamase as proof.
The trial continues in the Mthatha High Court, with all six defendants pleading not guilty to 29 charges, including 19 counts of murder.
