Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Durban High Court sentenced two metro police killers to life in prison.
Thamsanqa Mabaso and Nkululeko Zulu were handed the maximum sentence for the 2019 murders of Constable Sonto Mhlanga and Inspector Fanifani Dladla.
Mabaso and Zulu robbed the officers of a service pistol with rounds of ammunition before they shot and killed them.
The officers were on duty in Bhambayi, Phoenix, in Durban.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said in addition to life imprisonment, the court further sentenced Mabaso to 15 years for the robbery of the firearm, 15 years for a robbery after the murder, and another five years for robbery. The sentences will run concurrently.
The court also sentenced Zulu to 15 years for the robbery of the firearm, 15 years for a robbery after the murders, 10 years for the attempted murder of police officers, which happened during his arrest, and 15 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Co-accused Sabelo Biyela, 23, and Bonginkosi Msomi, 24, were sentenced to 10 years in jail for armed robbery of the officers.
In October last year, the court sentenced another accomplice, 22-year-old Mfana Shozi, to 12 years imprisonment.
Shozi, who turned a state witness, faced robbery charges.
All of the accused, except for Mabaso, have been in custody since May 2019.
Major General Dr Lesetja Senona, head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, applauded his officers for the outcome.
“Heartless criminals do not belong in society. They belong to jail.”
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