Cape Town - During his court appearance, one of the men accused of murdering community activist Loyiso Nkohla-Mabandla proclaimed his innocence, shouting that he had no involvement in the shooting.
Zukile Tshabile and Mziyanda Mdlungu and Mzubanzi Chulayo, face conspiracy to murder and attempted of Mabandla and wife Nyameka, murder and attempted murder.
They were also charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.
While Tshabile faces charges for a separate matter, he is accused of robbery with aggravating circumstances, four attempted murder charges, kidnapping, possession of a prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Mpumelelo Shumane also known as Mancane who resides at Ramaphosa informal settlement was also identified as one of the killers but has been on the run since the shooting.
Yesterday the trio were handed the indictment listing all their charges and that they must appear at the Western Cape High Court on 14 March 2025.
Mdlungu had an outburst during the proceedings, he asked his lawyer Celeste Holmes where his other lawyer was.
“Where is Pretorius, I have been in here for a long time, for a crime I didn't do.”
He then pointed at the Hawks' investigator Sergeant Zaliseka Hlatshaneni and shouted: “You arrested me for something I didn't do. I don't know why you arrested me.”
Nyameka said Mdlungu was being arrogant.
“The investigation has been completed by the Hawks and what is clear is that all of them are implicated in the case.
“I am relieved that we are taking the next step in the trial and we can get to hear from the witnesses what transpired and why and what the motive was behind this.
“It gives me hope that my husband, Loyiso, will finally get the justice that he deserves.
“I must commend the Hawks for the brilliant work they have done. It gives me so much confidence that there are still some people who are following their oath and doing what is expected of them.
“Not many people get the closure that I am getting. I'll go on holiday with some kind of relief.”
The State alleged that on 17 April 2023, between 10am and 11am, Philippi community leaders, employees of MKV (a cleaning service company) and Limise Protection Services (a security company) held a meeting at Philippi train station in Philippi.
“Loyiso Nkohla Mabandla (herein referred to as the deceased) convened the meeting in his capacity as the Philippi community facilitator, after he was approached to intervene on behalf of the employees of Limise Protection Services,” the document read.
“The purpose of the meeting was to resolve non-payment of Limise Protection Services employees.
“Thobani Maxengana was the owner of the security company and he was invited by the deceased to attend the meeting. A few days before the meeting Maxengana, Tshabile, Mdlungu, Chulayo and another known person had a meeting residence.”
The documents explained that during that meeting the accused planned the murder of Mabandla and his wife. And on the day of the murder, the deceased and community leaders praying with Tshabile, Chulayo and another known person were dropped off by Mdlungu at the train station.
“Just before the prayer was concluded, Tshabile and Chulayo and another known person, fired shots at Mdlungu's in the direction of the deceased and he was killed and three others were wounded.”
Nyameka didn't attend the meeting. According to the State, Maxengana rewarded the accused for their participation in the planning and killing of the deceased.
The Hawks made the first arrest of all four but Maxengana who died of a heart attack while in police custody in Cambridge police station in East London.