The Mthatha Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape will hear testimony from the four men accused of killing the seven members of the Mgxada family in Bityi last month.
The men were apprehended after a thorough police investigation was conducted following the seven deaths on October 16 while mourning the death of another family member.
Novotile Mgxada was shot to death a week prior to the mass murder.
The four men are expected to apply for bail.
The case was postponed on October 28 when three of the men appeared in court.
The fourth was in hospital. During the arrest, he was injured in a shootout with the police.
Two of the suspects were first detained by the police for having an unlicensed firearm. They then informed the police where the other two suspects were in Mthatha.
While visiting the family last month, Police Minister Bheki Cele called for swift action to curb the high crime rate in the area.
“The community suspects these killings are related t stock theft revenge, as the husband played a crucial role in the arrest of suspected stock thieves in the area. Police in the area are known for being under-resourced, resulting in poor policing,” said Cele.
