Experts deployed to five different crime scenes after Ngcobo police massacre

A police captain testifying in the murder trial of Mancoba Seven Angels Ministry church members explained how forensic experts were deployed after the killing of five Ngcobo police officers and an off-duty soldier.

Ngcobo organised crime unit head Captain Lindile Sigcu, who has 30 years experience as a policeman, told the Mthatha high court yesterday there were several crime scenes in Ngcobo.

The main crime scene was the Ngcobo police station community service centre (CSC) and also the area in front of the station where one officer was shot dead inside a police van.

The second crime scene was at Capitec Bank at Titus House where an ATM was bombed, the third at Masonwabenathi informal settlement where the soldier was shot dead and the fourth at Khalinyanga mountain where a police van was hijacked.

The fifth and final crime scene was along the road near Nyanga High School where the bodies of two police officers who had been patrolling the area were found.

Sigcu said there were six forensic experts including a captain, two warrant officers and constables.

“We decided that each crime scene should have a dedicated crime scene expert,” he said.

Sigcu took charge of the main crime scene at the police station. “I visited other crime scenes and at the banking area there were an assortment of cartridges of different firearms; R4 and R5 rifles as well as pistols. The Capitec Bank and its ATM were damaged.”

The captain said he was involved in the arrest of some of the Mancoba Seven Angels Ministries members after the shootout with police on February 23, 2018, which resulted in the killing of seven suspects.

Sigcu said two people who escaped during the shootout were apprehended by villagers at Sixolosini on the outskirts of Ngcobo.

Five church members — Andani Monco, 32, Kwanele Ndlwana, 24, Siphosomzi Tshefu, 26, Siphesihle Tatsi, 22 and Phumzile Mhlatywa, 48 — are facing 22 charges including five counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The accused are representing themselves, while advocate Nomapha Mvandaba is prosecuting and judge Robert Griffiths presiding. The trial continues today.