KEY POINTS
- Witness testifies about threats from accused before the ANC murders.
- Court hears details of deep political rivalries in Ward 101.
- Trial continues as prosecutors argue the killings were politically motivated.
A Durban High Court witness has testified that an ANC member accused of murder threatened them just before the fatal shooting of Ward 101 candidate Siyabonga Mkhize and party member Mzukisi Nyanga in October 2021.
The witness, whose identity is being withheld for security reasons, said they received threats from Nkosinathi Emmanuel Ngcobo at a hall in Cato Crest during the 2021 national voter registration.
Ngcobo, along with Sandile Mzizi, Mkhipheni Mzimuni Ngiba, former Ward 101 councillor Sifiso Vincent Mlondo, and Phathesakhe Ngiba, has been charged with the murders of Mkhize and Nyanga.
At the time, two ANC factions fiercely competed for power and deeply divided Ward 101.
The accused aligned themselves with the Renewal Rebuilding Unity (RRU) faction. Mkhize and Nyanga belonged to the Unity and Continuity (U&C) group.
Tensions escalated as Mkhize gained community support. His growing influence threatened Ngiba, who had held the ward councillor position for 12 years.
Witness recalls chilling warning before murders
The witness described a tense encounter on voter registration day, when Mkhize’s name was missing from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) records. They checked online and discovered that someone had falsely listed Mkhize as deceased.
According to IOL, the situation became more alarming when Ngiba invited the witness to his car and offered them whiskey.
Shortly after, Ngcobo arrived and accused the witness of not supporting Siyabonga Sibisi, the ward candidate backed by RRU.
“He asked if I took politics personally,” the witness said. “Before I could respond, he said, ‘If it’s not personal, why didn’t you vote for Sibisi?’ He went on, saying that because we supported Mkhize, we were full of nonsense.”
Ngcobo then issued a chilling warning, stating that he could “kill us all in 30 minutes.” The witness recalled how Mlondo tried to calm Ngcobo, but his words were ignored.
On October 15, the witness said they arrived at the crime scene in a taxi and saw someone kill Mkhize and Nyanga. They also stated that both Mlondo and Ngcobo were already there.
Trial continues as the court weighs testimony
Prosecutors believe that political motives fueled the murders. They argue that internal ANC power struggles in Ward 101 caused the killings.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Lawrence Gcaba pressed the witness for more details about the events leading up to the killings. He also focused on the relationships among the accused.
Defense attorneys, however, have questioned the witness’s credibility. They argue that the testimony lacks direct evidence linking the accused to the crime.
As the trial continues, the Durban High Court will hear more testimony about the alleged threats. The case also highlights the deep political divisions that led to Mkhize and Nyanga’s assassinations.
