Ezulwini – Tears and painful memories resurfaced on Tuesday as the sole survivor of the Goje Township mass shooting retraced the events of the night four women were killed, leading High Court Judge Titus Mlangeni through the house where the tragedy unfolded.
Thuli Mkhwanazi accompanied the judge during an inspection in loco at the Ezulwini property where former deputy sheriff Vusi Mncina is accused of shooting five women in November 2023, killing four and leaving Mkhwanazi seriously injured.
The court visit focused on the layout of the house, particularly the pantry where the shootings allegedly occurred. The inspection formed part of Mncina’s ongoing murder trial before the High Court.
Mncina is accused of murdering Cynthia Shongwe, Lungile Shongwe, Nonhlanhla Thwala and Fikile Shongwe. Mkhwanazi survived after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest.
During previous testimony, Mkhwanazi recounted how she and several others had gathered at Cynthia’s residence while some guests watched the Rugby World Cup final and others socialised in different parts of the house.
She told the court that the group had initially been in the kitchen before moving into a pantry after hearing noise outside. Cynthia later entered and informed them that Mncina was outside.
According to Mkhwanazi, Cynthia explained that Mncina was upset after accusing her of kissing another man. The women discussed the matter and Cynthia allegedly described the incident as a “baby kiss” rather than a romantic encounter.
Mkhwanazi testified that Cynthia said Mncina had become so upset that he had spoken about divorcing his wife.
As the evening progressed and guests prepared to leave, Mkhwanazi said a red vehicle arrived at the gate and two people emerged. Another vehicle arrived shortly afterwards.
She told the court that she was preparing to leave when Mncina allegedly appeared at the pantry door and asked Cynthia what was happening. Before Cynthia could respond, he allegedly opened fire.
Mkhwanazi said she was struck by a bullet and thrown against a wall before collapsing. She testified that those inside the pantry froze as gunshots rang out.
According to her evidence, Lungile pleaded with Mncina to understand the situation, but the shooting continued. Lungile and Fikile collapsed after being shot, while Mkhwanazi remained trapped in the room.
She later regained partial consciousness amid smoke in the pantry and used nearby shelves to pull herself to her feet. After leaving the room, she found a cellphone in the kitchen but could not use it because it was protected by a security code.
Mkhwanazi then crawled to a bathroom before moving to another room where she found a woman identified as Jane hiding in a wardrobe. Jane later contacted Mkhwanazi’s sister, who alerted emergency services.
The witness told the court she was bleeding heavily and pressed her hand against the wound after the bullet exited through her back.
Police later arrived and transported her to hospital, where she spent between three and four weeks recovering.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Xolani Mthethwa suggested that Cynthia had been seen kissing and being caressed by another man and that Mncina had confronted her about it. Mkhwanazi maintained that she had not witnessed any such incident, although Cynthia had mentioned that Mncina believed he had seen her kissing someone.
She also rejected suggestions that the women had been mocking Mncina before the shooting.
The trial continues on Wednesday before Judge Mlangeni.
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