Investigations into Lusikisiki massacre at an advanced stage

LUSIKISIKI - Investigations into the mass murder case of 18 people in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape last year, are now at an advanced stage.  

The State in the matter said that only two outstanding issues were being finalised before a formal trial can begin.

Eight men are accused of planning and carrying out the hit on the group of relatives, who were gathered to attend a ceremony. 

On Monday, they returned to the Lusikisiki Regional Court where they learnt that their trial was likely to proceed in March.  

State prosecutor, Nkululeko Mathenjwa, said that if all the outstanding issues were completed by next month, the State would serve indictments. 

"The remand will be for further investigations, however, I want to place on record that if all reports are then received by the prosecution, we will come on that day with the indictments - that is that possibility to speed up the matter."

The families of the victims have welcomed the new investigation, saying they wanted this matter thoroughly probed before it goes for trial.