TWO men convicted of killing an off-duty police officer and a woman nearly three years ago in the Ekuvukeni area, will spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
Sanele Chonco (26) and Xolani Khumalo (26) were convicted and sentenced to two life terms for two counts of murder at the Mtunzini High Court on Thursday.
They were further sentenced to a total of 30 years for robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
On 14 December 2012, the decomposed body of Constable Mesula Mavimbela was found in a donga at Ekuvukeni. The off-duty officer had been robbed of his Toyota Verso and service pistol. A case of murder and robbery was opened at Ekuvukeni police station before the Hawks eventually took over the investigation.
Following an intensive probe, the firearm belonging to Constable Mavimbela was found with the accused.
The suspects had also been linked to a second murder case reported at Ekuvukeni police station when Lindokuhle Shange (26) was shot and later died in hospital.
KZN Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said the sentence sent a strong message to other criminals who attacked and killed police officers.
‘We welcome the sentence given to the accused. We encourage our communities to stand up and condemn the killing of police officers in the province.
‘These police officers are part of our communities and have roots within our communities. Therefore when they are killed, our communities are being robbed of very vital members of that community,’ she said.
@RonelleRamsamy
