Family say Gcaba not a co-accused

A SPOKESPERSON for the Gcaba family has maintained that Sydney Mfundo Gcaba was not a co-accused in the murder investigation and therefore has no side in the matter.

Two weeks ago, the prominent Durban businessman was identified in an affidavit submitted by the police as the individual who deposited R803455 into the bank account of one of the accused, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, following the hits on AKA and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane in February last year.

The State alleged that Gwabeni then deposited the money into his co-accused, with bank statements presented to substantiate this claim.

Addressing the court yesterday, Gwabeni's legal counsel, advocate Paul Jorgensen, said his client is concerned that the authorities have yet to speak to a Gcaba.

However, Gcaba family spokesperson Jackie Shandu told IOL that Gcaba was not a co-accused in the case.

“Therefore, (he) has no ‘side’ on the matter,” Shandu added.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA was not at liberty to comment on the matter and the SAPS has yet to respond to IOL’s request for comment.

In court yesterday, Gwabeni further stated that police did not have evidence to back up allegations made in their affidavits to the court.

Jorgensen said this was yet another example of the vagueness and smoke and mirrors that the State has brought to the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Gcaba family has since distanced themselves from the allegations, adding that they acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the widespread interest it has garnered.

“Mfundo is an adult and is a successful businessman involved in various sectors including coal mining and the taxi industry. It is important to note that financial transactions between him and Mr Gwabeni were purely for business purposes,” the family said.

The accused, Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande, face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, five counts of attempted murder and money laundering. They have been remanded in custody and are due back in court next month where the bail application continues.