DURBAN - TWO men have been sentenced to multiple life sentences each for a spate of armed robberies and murder over a six month period in the uMlazi area between December 2017 and May 2018.
The Durban High Court sentenced Nhlanhla Brian Zondi, 28, to 31 years and two terms of life imprisonment and Sivuyile Sandile Mbhele, 29, to 31 years and three life terms on Thursday.
National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) spokesperson in KZN, Natasha Kara, said the two men robbed random victims in the area.
She said the men armed themselves to carry out their plans.
“During this period, they killed Siyabonga Cedrick Mnguni and robbed him of his running shoes, waist belt, cap and cellphone.
“They also tried to rob a tuckshop, killing the owner, Sibongiseni Sihle Chili. During these altercations, Mthandeni Nte Cele and Ayanda Junior Ngcemu were severely injured,” she said.
According to Kara, Mbhele also tried to steal a vehicle belonging to Thembalethu James Ngwanya.
“After fatally shooting Ngwanya, the vehicle would not start and Mbhele fled with the car keys,” she said.
Various informers assisted the police to trace the whereabouts of the suspects and they were arrested, she said.
In court, State advocate Gugu Xulu led the evidence of the investigating officer as well as eye-witness testimonies, Kara said.
Xulu also submitted Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thandeka Ngcobo and compiled by the victims and family members of the deceased.
“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes this successful prosecution,” said Kara.
In August, The Mercury’s sister publication, The Independent on Saturday, reported on the quarterly crime statistics from April to June this year released by Police Minister Bheki Cele.
KZN featured as the worst province for murders with 1 404 people killed, while uMlazi was the worst policing precinct for murders with 73 people killed.
The province was also second with the number of car hijackings at 820, an increase of 109%, compared with Gauteng’s 2 704 cases. uMlazi, Mariannhill and Pinetown were the worst areas for this crime.The majority (1 401) were in township settings compared with 1 081 in the suburbs, and 172 from inner city areas. | THE MERCURY