The sentences received by the bull who was arrested with King Simphiwe Erick Zuma, Thabo Mathonsi Chonco, are increasing as on Friday, he received his third sentence since the beginning of the year and is at risk of receiving another one next month.
Chonco was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the District Court in Pietermaritzburg for the crime of blackmailing Mr. Xolani Ntombela, who was fighting against the sale of land.
In January, he was sentenced to five life terms for stalking the Bulwer family. Last month, he was sentenced to 20 years for murdering the former prime minister of the Nxamalala tribe, Mr. Qalokunye Zuma. He may receive another sentence next month, as he plans to plead guilty to defrauding the former DA councilor in Mngeni Municipality, Mr. Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. Chonco is still on trial for another case of murdering the Memela family in Mbali, Pietermaritzburg.
Chonco is also charged with the Zuma chief’s murder of Ntombela and Ndlovu.
Chonco pleaded guilty to murdering Ntombela when he appeared in court on Friday.
It is worth noting that Chonco did not mention the King of Zuma and another suspect who was arrested with him, Mr. Thembelani Mbatha, when he pleaded guilty.
King and Mbatha deny the charge. Chonco said he was sent by the Chief who has become a court witness, Mr. Zwelithini Buthelezi, to investigate Ntombela.
Chonco said Buthelezi complained that Ntombela was interfering with his struggle to sell land in Masosheni, Howick.
Ntombela was building houses. Chonco said that they came to Ntombela’s house and asked how much he costs when he builds houses?
“We wanted to see if he had a gun and if it would be easy to shoot him.”
Chonco said they came back after days to do work.
He said he did not shoot himself, he stayed in the car, and said that two of his friends who were traveling with him, who he did not name, shot. Chonco said Buthelezi paid them R30 000.
He explained in detail his relationship with Buthelezi.
He said they started getting to know each other in 2020, when Buthelezi went to buy car parts, he did not explain where he got the car parts they were selling to each other.
“He kept coming back to buy car parts and we ended up getting to know each other. We ended up selling each other’s livestock and I ended up being his confidant in the sale of land in the areas under the Nxamalala dynasty.”
In a statement read by his lawyer, Mr. Zipho Khanyile, Chonco briefly explained his life.
Chonco said he lives in KwaNyamazane, Pietermaritzburg. He revealed that he is not married but has six children.
He asked not to be given a harsh sentence, saying he hoped he would change.
“When I committed the crime, I was young (he was 27 years old). Long imprisonment will not help.”
Magistrate Bemal Jaynarayan, ordered that Chonco be deprived of the permit to own a gun, and also be deprived of all the guns and ammunition he has.
Chonco threatened journalists who were trying to shoot him after the court bowed.
“It will mean a slap, because there is no longer a magistrate.”
Chonco will return to court on April 24, where he is expected to plead guilty to murdering Ndlovu.
The chief prosecutor, Mr. Elvis Gcweka, stated that there are still negotiations that have not been completed regarding the issue of Chonco’s confession.
Gcweka said Chonco wants to plead guilty under section 105 of the plea law.
This section gives the person who confesses the right not to reveal the people he was with when he committed the crime.
Khanyile said that Chonco will plead guilty under section 112 if negotiations for him to plead guilty under section 105 fail.
In this case, Chonco is accused along with Nkosi, Mbatha, Thobani Masobho Hlongwa and Khayelihle Shabalala.
Shabalala also plans to plead guilty.