- The late Loyiso Mabandla’s family said they were shocked to learn about the death of Thobani Maxengana (39), the alleged mastermind behind his killing.
- Maxengana, who was arrested at Peddie in the Eastern Cape on Thursday 16 November, was found dead in a cell the following day.
- Two people are currently in custody in connection with Mabandla’s murder.
The late Loyiso Mabandla’s family said they were shocked to learn about the death of Thobani Maxengana (39), the alleged mastermind behind his killing.
Maxengana, who was arrested at Peddie in the Eastern Cape on Thursday 16 November, was found dead in a cell the following day.
In a statement released by Mabandla’s wife Nyameka, on Monday 20 November, she said one of the suspects, Mziyanda Mdlungu (38), attended her mother-in-law’s funeral in Peddie two weeks before her husband was murdered, while Maxengana had visited the family at home in Cape Town during the prayer services and pretended to mourn with them.
She said following her husband’s death Maxengana had not attended any prayer, memorial or funeral services for him, nor had he sent any message of condolence to the family.
“I learnt Thobani Maxengana paid the killers R20 000 and instructed them to kill Loyiso and me on that fateful day,” Mabandla said.
“It kills me to learn that I too was supposed to have been killed and leave my small children orphaned by someone my husband had opened doors and provided opportunities for.
“I was looking forward to seeing his day in court. It is hard to accept that the people Loyiso cared and sacrificed for are the ones who murdered him.”
She said all the suspects had lived in the communities where Loyiso worked as an activist to improve people’s lives, or in the village where he spent his childhood.
Nyameka said she was grateful for the support she received from various organisations, community members and security agencies throughout this “painful journey”.
Two people are currently in custody in connection with the murder. A second suspect (Mziyanda Mdlungu ) was arrested in Katlehong last week (“2nd suspect arrested for Mabandla murder”, City Vision, Thursday 16 November).
Provincial Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Siyabulela Vukubi said Mdlungu appeared at Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Monday 20 November and was remanded until Friday 1 December for bail application. He stated he remained in custody. Another suspect, Zukisa Tshabile (38), was remanded until Thursday 15 February next year.
Vukubi said the suspect abandoned his bail application and remained in custody.