![Family Massacre In Imbali: Pietermaritzburg Man Appears In Court On Murder Charges](https://surgezirc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/images-41.png)
A man appeared briefly in court for the murder of 10 family members in Imbali after withdrawing his request for bail last month.
Deon Warren Thabo Mathonsi, 27 years old, attended the Pietermaritzburg magistrate’s court on Monday.
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He is charged with 10 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Mathonsi was one of four men believed to have killed several members of a single family in the Imbali township of Pietermaritzburg.
The incident resulted in the death of seven women and three men, with five others sustaining injuries.
The court hearing aimed to address pending DNA results and conduct further investigations.
The prosecution informed the court that the DNA results were still outstanding and requested a postponement.
The deceased victims include: Phumlani Memela (28), Nompilo Mthembu Mthiyane (21), Andiswa Nana Ngcobo (15), Beatrice Memela (63), Brenda Memela (38), Fikile Hlabisa (53), Nomfundo Memela (20), Aphelele Memela (18), Siphesihle Memela (17), and Sabelo Mhlonyana (15).
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Survivors of the attack are: Akhona Ndlovu (22), Philani Memela (Phumlani’s twin), Lethuse Mbhele (4), Siyabonga Memela (5), and eight-year-old Ayanda Manunu Memela.
One suspect sustained injuries and is currently under police guard in the hospital, while another suspect was fatally shot, and the other suspect managed to escape during a shootout with the police.