The Durban High Court has scheduled the trial for five men accused of executing contract killings that left two Durban Metro police officers and an ANC Youth League (ANCYL) secretary dead in 2020. The trial will begin in May 2026, following confirmation that the case is ready to proceed.
The accused — Fana Wellington Shabalala (39), Thulani Holly Shozi (36), Zamokuhle Mnyandu (44), Ntobeko Hadebe/Msezane (29), and Mthokozisi Ntando Blose — face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of murder, unlawful possession of an automatic rifle, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the State, the men were contracted and paid to assassinate Lindokuhle Madonsela, a Durban Metro police officer and ANC member, between May and June 2020. It is alleged that Shozi provided the group with Madonsela’s movements and other information to carry out the killing.
However, on May 25, 2020, the accused allegedly shot and killed Thamsanqa Kingdom Gcabashe, the ANCYL secretary, after mistaking him for Madonsela. Gcabashe had just returned from a prayer meeting when he was ambushed outside his home in Mpumalanga township, Hammarsdale.
According to the indictment, “Gcabashe saw the accused inside his yard, armed with handguns, and tried to run away. Two shots were fired while they chased him. He fell to the ground, and they continued firing. He died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the skull.”
Realising they had killed the wrong person, the accused allegedly continued with their mission. On June 9, 2020, Metro police officers Ndumiso Thusi and Lindokuhle Madonsela were shot dead outside Madonsela’s home while preparing to go to work. The State claims the accused used an AK-47 rifle and handguns to open fire on the victims as they sat in a parked car.
“Thusi died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head. Madonsela also died from multiple gunshot wounds with multiple organ injuries,” the State alleges.
During proceedings, KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Lawrence Gcaba, told the court that all parties had agreed on the trial dates. The matter, presided over by Judge Jacqueline Henriques, was officially certified as trial-ready and postponed to May 19–June 19, 2026.
