Ngcobo gunmen spared women

Women were deliberately spared when masked men opened fire inside the Ngcobo police station.

This was the testimony on Wednesday of Constable Khanya Nyikisa in the Mthatha high court trial of Mancoba Angels cult members Andani Monco, Kwanele Ndlwana, Siphosethu Tshefu, Siphosomzi Tatsi and Phumzile Mhlatywa. Their ages range from 20 to 47.

They are accused of the killing of five officers and have a rap sheet listing 22 charges.

They are pleading not guilty and are representing themselves.

Nyikisa said she was in an office when she heard gunshots and she then ran for cover.

“After a while it went quiet. I heard footsteps entering the office I was in,” she said.

“I screamed and asked that they must not kill me.

“One spoke behind me and asked where my gun was. I got up and one held me by my uniform belt lifting me up and they cut the string and took the pistol.”

They also took 15 rounds of ammunition.

She said the gunmen took two rifles, two shotguns and magazines that were fully loaded. “One man said ‘we must get out and go to an unmarked bakkie’.”

She said on the way out, she saw the bodies of Warrant Officer Zuko Mbini and Constable Nkosiphendule Pongco lying on the ground.

The gunmen who were inside the station called out to the attackers outside not to shoot the female officers.

After some time one of the men opened the bakkie door and three women officers and data typist Vuyelwa Memani got out and tried to escape.

“As we were getting inside a car we heard gunshots from the main gate. We scattered and hid ourselves,” she said.

Four of the accused vigorously cross-questioned the state witness previous to Nyikisa, Memani, but the oldest, Mhlatywa, sat back saying he had nothing to ask her.

Memani, in her testimony, had described to the court how the gunmen had shot and killed Mbini and Pongco in the station.

When it was his turn to question Memani, Mhlatywa said: “I did not hear anything that mentions my name whatsoever in the testimony.”

The trial continues.