JUDGMENTS The High Court of Pietermaritzburg sentenced each person to life imprisonment, the relatives of those convicted of murder are comparing him to another.
The convicts, Mthokozisi Ngwane (34) and Sanele Mqondisi Ngwane (37), were convicted of shooting and killing Mr. Nduduzo Ndlovu in Himeville, Mgungundlovu, on February 2, 2023.
According to Mrs. Natasha Ramkisson-Kara of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), those who were convicted, went to this place to search for a certain person they intended to kill but ended up killing the deceased.
It is said that although the convicts were able to successfully escape from the scene of the incident, but those who witnessed the incident were able to take the number plate of the car they were traveling in and passed that information to the police, which was the evidence that led to their arrest.
He said that when they were crying, the police found two guns and when they were taken to the gun testing facility, one of them revealed that it was used in the incident of Ndlovu’s murder.
During the trial, the State was represented by Advocate Nkosinathi Mhlambo, who led the testimony of the person who witnessed the incident, and took the number of the car that the defendants were driving on the day of the incident. The State also brought a sworn statement of the deceased’s relative in which he elaborated on how much the killing of the deceased affected the family.
The statement explains in detail the damage caused when the deceased was killed as well as the pain the family still feels about his murder. We also highlight the role Ndlovu played in the family, and go on to explain the pressure the family was under following the incident.
The court acquitted them of all three charges against them. In it, each person was charged with murder, possession of an illegal firearm and possession of illegal ammunition.
“For murder, each person was sentenced to life in prison. For possession of illegal firearms, each person was given 15 years. Then for possession of illegal ammunition, each person received six years,” said Mrs. Ramkisson-Kara.
He said the court decided that their sentences should be served concurrently. The court also ruled that they should no longer be granted the right to carry a firearm.
Mrs. Ramkisson-Kara said that the NPA were satisfied with the sentence given to the two.
“The NPA remains committed to upholding the law and ensures that perpetrators involved in violent crimes are properly punished for their actions,” said Mrs. Ramkisson-Kara.