Three suspects who allegedly killed 13 people in the Msunduzi area in KwaZulu-Natal made their first appearance at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Mthobisi Makhathini (28) from KwaNxamalala Sweetwaters, Sanele Phakathi (40) from Sweetwaters and Mandisa Ngcobo (29) from KwaNyuswa, are facing 13 charges of murder, four charges of attempted murder and one of arson.

It is alleged that on May 14, the three accused killed Sduduzo Nkomo, Mthokozisi Madlala, Welcome Dlamini, Jabulani Ntuli, Butho Shelembe, Nkosinathi Mtolo, Thobani Ngubane, Siyabonga Madondo, Zuzani Zondi, Samkelo Zondi, Thembinkosi Dlamini, Nkanyiso Dlamini and Thobani Shelembe.

They also allegedly attempted to kill Siboniso Madlala, Sandile Sithole, Ayanda Ngcobo and Lizwilenkosi Ngcobo, by setting them alight.

The Witness reported at the time that about 15 alleged drug addicts were in an RDP house near KwaMpande in the Pietermaritzburg area, when eight men stormed into the house at around 18:30 during load-shedding.

The men allegedly locked the victims inside the RDP house and started beating them.

The RDP house is believed to be occupied by two young men who are orphaned, and the house is used as a ‘drug hangout’ for whoonga (nyaope) addicts.

It was alleged that they were looking for one of the boys who lives in the house.

After allegedly assaulting the group, their attackers forced them to lie down, poured a liquid over them and set the house on fire.

Victims succumb in burning house

KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says eight of the victims burnt to death inside the RDP house, while others died in hospital due to their injuries.

Another body was found with burn wounds in the bushes a short distance from the scene of the crime.

The three suspects were arrested last week after the matter was escalated to the murder and robbery unit under the serious violent crime unit.

All three accused told the court that they were going to appoint a private attorney.

Throughout the court proceedings, Makhathini, wearing a grey cardigan, was folding his hands looking around the courtroom, while Phakathi, wearing a blue jacket, and Ngcobo, wearing a black jacket, had their hands behind them looking down all the time.

Makhathini said he has no previous conviction and no pending cases.

Phetha has one previous conviction of robbery that took place in 2016 and he was sentenced to eight years but only served four years of his sentence.

Ngcobo has no previous convictions but has a pending case of possession of a firearm that is back in the regional court on June 23.

The state opposed bail saying they need to verify the safety of the witnesses and profile the accused.

The matter was postponed to June 26 for a formal bail application and for the accused to have their attorneys in court.