AFTER the inspection in loco at Goje Township in Ezulwini, where five women were allegedly shot resulting in four deaths, Judge Titus Mlangeni told the court that the victims had little or no chance of escaping during the incident.
The women were allegedly shot by Deputy Sheriff Vusi Mncina on October 28, 2023, during a fatal confrontation.
Judge Mlangeni made these remarks yesterday in court after visiting the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Mncina is now facing four counts of murder and one of attempted murder charged following the deaths of four women and the injury of a fifth victim.
The deceased were identified as Khulile Cynthia Shongwe, Lungile Shongwe, Nonhlanhla Thwala and Fikile Shongwe.
The sole survivor, Thuli Mkhwanazi, led the judge and court officials to the house at Goje Township. She is also the Crown’s witness in the matter.
During the inspection, Judge Mlangeni closely examined the pantry where the victims were allegedly cornered before the shooting. He noted that the size and layout of the room appeared to offer very limited opportunities for escape.
Judge Mlangeni stated; “There was clearly no room for escape of the victims in the room,” he remarked while assessing the dimensions of the pantry and surrounding space.
The trial continued with testimony from Sandile Phephela Mazibuko, Fikile Shongwe’s brother.
Mazibuko told the court that on the night of the incident, he received a call from his sister who asked him to pick her from Ezulwini because she was unable to drive her vehicle after consuming alcohol.
He said he immediately left for Ezulwini, but got lost along the way.
As a result, he repeatedly tried to contact his sister for directions. Although several of his calls initially went unanswered, he eventually managed to reach her and got directions to the house where she was.
Mazibuko testified that by the time he arrived at the location, it was raining heavily and visibility was poor because it was already dark.
He told the court that he remained inside his vehicle while waiting for his sister to come outside and guide him as there were dogs roaming around the estate and the rain couldn’t stop pouring.
While he was waiting, Mncina allegedly approached his vehicle and knocked on the driver’s side window.
Mazibuko said Mncina was wearing a hoodie and a sweater, making it difficult for him to clearly identify him at first.
“He came to my vehicle and asked me to move my car because I had parked behind his vehicle,” Mazibuko told the court.
According to his testimony, Mncina then returned to the house while he repositioned his vehicle as requested.
Mazibuko further stated that Mncina later returned and again knocked on the window of his vehicle. This time, he allegedly requested a ride to Lobamba Police Station.
