Hefty jail sentence for revenge killings
Nkosi and Mkhwanazi were both arrested and stood trial in the Mtubatuba Regional Court
A HLUHLUWE man is facing the next 76 years behind bars for his part in three vigilante murders and two attempted murders.
In 2016 a young boy was hit with a knobkierie as he got into his mother’s cousin’s car after a family wedding,In retaliation, the boy pulled out a knife and stabbed the man who had hit him.
While recovering in hospital, the man, Nsusha Nkosi, refused to open a case and instead chose to seek revenge.
A week later, Nkosi and his accomplice, Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, went to the homestead of the boy’s family, reportedly with the intention of killing the boy’s sangoma grandmother who, in their minds, had given the boy muthi, causing him to stab Nkosi.
The grandmother, Ntanyekile Gumede, was beaten up, thrown out of the window and set on fire.She died on scene. Sifiso Nkosi was killed inside the house before it was set on fire.
Thengabantu Gumede was brutally beaten, ran to a neighbour for assistance, and later died in hospital.
Two survivors of the attack, Mbekezeli Mtshali was hacked on the head and Njabulo Sithole was burnt on his feet.
Unable to solve the case, Hluhluwe investigating officers sought help from Mtubatuba Detective Lieutenant Abraham Makhunga, who was able to uncover the truth, solve the case and effect the arrests.
Nkosi and Mkhwanazi were both arrested and stood trial in the Mtubatuba Regional Court.
Nkosi was placed under psychiatric evaluation after pleading insanity and Mkhwanazi was sentenced to a total of 76 years by Magistrate Zungu.
He received 60 years for the three counts of murder, eight years for the two counts of attempted murder and a further eight years for arson.
‘This is a case of a job well done by all involved, most notably Lieutenant Makhunga and Magistrate Zungu,’ said Mtubatuba SAPS Communications Officer, Captain Justice Hlabisa.
‘If it was not for the collaboration between Hluhluwe and Mtubatuba, the suspects may still have been walking free.’
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
