‘We are only halfway through our journey. We need the other two perpetrators rearrested and to appear in court.’
These were the sentiments of the daughter of slain Nhlanhla and Bajabulile Shange, who were murdered in July, 2014 at the Empangeni’s Taxi Rank.
Mbali Shange-Makhubela this week spoke to the ZO following the conviction of two of the accused involved in the murder of her parents.
Last week Njabulo Buthelezi (31) and Sbonelo Xulu (32) were each sentenced to double life imprisonment in the Mtunzini High Court on two counts of murder, 15 years each for robbery, 10 years each for possession of unlicensed firearms and a further two years each for possession of ammunition.
Their sentences came after the judge heard how they attacked and robbed the elderly couple at the taxi rank.
On 31 July 2014, retired teachers Nhlanhla (69) and his wife Bajabulile (67) were shot and killed while at their business premises.
The accused also robbed them of airtime vouchers before fleeing the crime scene.
Four culprits were apprehended within hours and found in possession of two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and stolen airtime vouchers.
ALSO READ: WANTED: Three suspects still at large after escaping from holding cells at Empangeni Police station
On the run
The accused made several court appearances at the Empangeni District Court and the charges were withdrawn against Thanda Zulu and Mbongeni Petro Langa.
The matter was then referred to the Mtunzini High Court, where the Deputy Public Prosecutor overturned the decision and reinstated charges Zulu and Langa.
A warrant of arrest was issued in June last year.
Zulu was rearrested in April but escaped in May after ‘four gates were left open and the accused walked out’ of the holding cells at the Empangeni police station.
Langa has never been located.
‘We are happy with the sentences. The way the case was handled was excellent. There was attention to detail to ensure that justice prevailed,’ said Shange-Makhubela.
‘However, we are only half way through our journey as we need the other two to be arrested and to appear in court.
‘It gave us some sort of hope, but we are waiting anxiously for the other two because we need closure on the matter.’
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