Spokersperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Luxolo Tyali, confirmed that the former Transkei Police Officer who was attached to the notorious Transkei Security Branch (SB), Gcinisiko Dandala (67), appeared before the Cala Magistrate’s Court charged with the 1985 murder of anti-apartheid activist, Bathandwa Ndondo, last week.
He said the case was postponed to 11 December 2025 for the accused to confirm his legal representation. He is out on warning.
“The 24 September 1985 murder of Ndondo remains one of the unsolved cases of anti-apartheid activists who died in the hands of the then authorities.
“The accused in the case did apply for amnesty before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). However, his application was rejected, as he had claimed that they shot and killed Ndondo because they feared that if they did not, they would be killed by Askaris,” said Tyali.
He added that it is the state’s case that the accused, together with another member of the SB who has since passed away, and two Askaris who have also died, were given the task of arresting Ndondo by the then Transkei homeland government.
Tyali said that on the fateful day, they proceeded to Ndondo’s home in Cala Village, driving a combi.
“On arrival, they allegedly found him in the same room as the late activist, Thobile Bam. They allegedly took Ndondo away in the combi, saying they were taking him for questioning at the Cala Police Station,” Tyali added.
“As the combi was driving through Cala Village, witnesses saw Ndondo struggling to get out of the combi through the window, naked on the upper body.”
He said Ndondo ultimately fell off the moving car and started running, with the accused and his accomplices giving chase whilst firing shots towards him.
The activist ran into a certain homestead where he fell upon entering, as his pursuers continued shooting.
They then loaded him into the combi and took him to the Cala Police Station and later to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
With the enrolment of this criminal matter and the subsequent trial, the NPA hopes that the envisaged conviction will provide the much-needed closure to the victim’s family and the broader public.
