TRIO CONVICTED FOR FARM ATTACK

05 June 2025

TRIO CONVICTED FOR FARM ATTACK

The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in East London, has convicted Odwa Dyabana (26), Luthando Ngangelizwe (29) and Siseko Qhayisa (31) for their roles in a farm attack that occurred on 20 February 2024 at Lorain Farm in Bluewater, within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The three were found guilty as charged on multiple counts, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, pointing of a firearm, five counts of kidnapping, four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. In addition, Dyabana was convicted of culpable homicide and reckless/negligent driving in a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred during their attempt to flee.

Lundi Magobongo (26), who had also been charged, was acquitted after the court accepted his version that he was a contracted e-hailing driver who merely transported the accused and found that there was no evidence linking him directly to the commission of the crimes. The court heard that the accused persons arrived at the farm under the pretence of wanting to buy dogs. Once they had gained the trust of the farm owner, they lured him to the kennels using his Toyota Land Cruiser. There, they produced firearms, tied him up, and returned to the farmhouse, where they continued their robbery. The farm owner and four employees were assaulted, kidnapped, and held hostage during the ordeal. The attackers tortured the farm owner by binding him, scalding him with hot water, and threatening to dismember him with a chainsaw in an attempt to force him to reveal the location of safe keys.

When their efforts to access the safes failed, the assailants used tools to dislodge them from the walls, loaded them onto the stolen Land Cruiser, and fled the scene in a convoy that included the victim’s Toyota Hilux. The stolen goods, which included the two vehicles, rifles, wedding rings, wristwatches, binoculars, and other valuables, were valued at over R2.2 million. As the accused fled the scene, a collision occurred on the N2 near Beacon Bay between the Land Cruiser, a Toyota Quantum and VW Polo, during which a woman sustained spinal injuries and later passed away in hospital, and the remainder of the 15 passengers sustained minor to severe injuries. Dyabana was also convicted of her death.

During the getaway, Dyabana and Ngangelizwe were apprehended near the scene—Ngangelizwe after falling from the back of the Land Cruiser, and Dyabana while attempting to flee on foot. Qhayisa evaded arrest at the time but was captured a few days later. The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. Sentencing proceedings are scheduled to take place from 01 to 04 July 2025 at the East London High Court. The National Prosecuting Authority will pray for the court to impose deservingly harsh sentences for the crimes.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali
Regional Spokesperson Eastern Cape Division
National Prosecuting Authority
Tel: 047 501 2630
Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za
Enquiries: nmakupula@npa.gov.za | 📱 068 268 2473