Nomonde Zondi | Published 1 day ago
Legal representation issues emerged earlier this week in the Durban High Court after a lawyer withdrew from representing one of the accused in the murder case of two Durban metro police officers and an ANC Youth League secretary, who were gunned down in 2020.
The victims, Thamsanqa Gcabashe, Lindokuhle Madonsela, and Ndumiso Thusi, were allegedly murdered by Fana Shabalala, Thulani Shozi, Zamokuhle Mnyandu, Sandile Msezane, and Ntando Blose in Mpumalanga township in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal.
Gcabashe and Madonsela were both ANC members, with Gcabashe having been elected secretary of the ANC Youth League in February 2020. Madonsela and Thusi were also employed as Durban metro police officers.
During the proceedings, X Ntshulwana informed the court that he was withdrawing as Shozi’s legal representative due to insufficient funds.
Judge President Thoba Poyo-Dlwati, who granted the withdrawal, questioned Shozi about his plans to secure legal representation.
“The incident happened in 2020, and it is now 2026. This matter must be finalised,” the judge said, stressing that the case could not be repeatedly postponed.
Shozi told the court that Ntshulwana would continue assisting him for the time being while he consulted with his family regarding legal arrangements.
However, Poyo-Dlwati emphasised that by the next pre-trial conference, Shozi must have secured legal representation and be ready to proceed with the matter.
The judge further directed Shozi to return to court before July 23 to confirm whether he had secured a lawyer; otherwise, he would need to apply for Legal Aid representation.
According to the State, Shozi and his co-accused were initially hired to kill Madonsela. However, they allegedly killed Gcabashe at his home on May 25, 2020, in a case of mistaken identity.
The State alleges that after realising their mistake, the accused conspired to kill Madonsela.
Fourteen days after Gcabashe’s murder, on June 9, 2020, Thusi arrived at Madonsela’s home in his silver Kia Rio to pick him up for work. While the two men were seated in the vehicle, a Toyota Etios allegedly pulled up alongside them.
Occupants of the Toyota allegedly opened fire on the Kia Rio, fatally wounding both Thusi and Madonsela.
All five accused are expected to return to the High Court on July 23 for a further pre-trial conference.
All the accused are out on bail except for Blose.
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