Nomonde Zondi|Published
The Durban High Court has sentenced a 21-year-old man to life imprisonment with one year suspended, following his conviction for murdering the driver of a toll car.
Luyanda Innocent Shozi was found guilty of murdering Mr. Zwakiwa Dennis Zondi on December 26, 2024, whose body was found charred.
Shozi ended up confessing to all the charges against him, including murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery.
In his affidavit in which he confessed to the crimes, Shozi said he participated in Zondi’s murder. He then revealed that he committed the crime with Siyabonga Xolani Mkhize, Ayanda Zulu, Lindani Shezi, Andile Mbhele, and the twins Asande and Wandile Shange.
He told the court that on the day of the incident, he was drinking alcohol with Zulu, Mbhele, and two women (Mandisa and Nonhlanhla), whose surnames were not disclosed.
He revealed that when the alcohol was finished, Zulu told Mbhele that he had received a call from someone who said he wanted him to assemble a seven-seater car for him.
He said he then told him that he would call him to be picked up by Zondi’s paid car, which he had used before.
It is said that when the deceased was on his way from Kwa Dabeka to their place, the three men discussed their plot to hijack the car.
He said that when the deceased arrived, the passengers arranged themselves in the way they would ride, Zulu sat behind the driver, Shozi sat in the back seat on the passenger side, Mbhele sat in front, and the women sat behind them.
When the car was heading towards Oakland, Mariannhill, Zondi met a dead end road. Shozi said he then went down, as someone who was going to take money from Mbhele’s person, which was an unsuccessful attempt.
It is said that when he returned, Zondi said he was praising the car, and the attack on him started. It turns out that Mbhele slapped Zondi with his hands, which enabled Zulu to choke him easily, until he fainted.
It turns out that the three then helped Zondi, and put her down behind the driver’s seat.
He admitted that he pressed both feet on Zondi’s neck and face, suffocating her.
“Mbhele was also pressing the deceased on the body, using his feet, until he died,” explained Shozi.
He said Mandisa and Nonhlanhla tried to run away but Zulu forced them to stay. He said that after he had strangled the deceased, Zulu then became the driver of the car and when Mbhele asked him where it was, he said they were going to Waterloo, where he knew people who would help him and dispose of the body.
He stated that Zulu then suggested that the body be cremated. It is said that in Waterloo, Zulu entered another house, and returned with the Shange twins who joined them, and ordered the forest where the body was to be dumped and burned.
Shozi revealed that at that time he stayed in the car. When the body was burned, they took Mandisa and Nonhlanhla, before going to Xolani Mkhize’s house, where they bought alcohol and drank.
He admitted that the car, a Toyota Rumion, was parked near Mkhize’s house, where the police eventually found it.
“I admit that I saw that my pressing the deceased’s face and neck using both feet would lead to his death. However, I continued to do so and killed him. I have nothing to justify my actions,” said Shozi.
Shozi worked as a packer, earning R1 000 a fortnight. It turns out that he is the father of two children and will stand as a State witness when the same case is tried against Zulu and Mkhize, who chose not to plead guilty.
Shozi was sentenced to 15 years for robbery, five years for kidnapping, and 25 years for murder. Of the 25 years he was given for murder, Judge Rithy Singh said that he would hang him for three, and warned him that he should spend five years if he was found involved in acts of violence.
He said he will serve his sentences at the same time.
Shezi, Mbhele and the Shange twins pleaded guilty and were sentenced. They will also become witnesses of the Kingdom.