Badplaas man sentenced to 25 years for murder and robbery
A 20-year-old Badplaas man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering a bread delivery driver during a robbery.
BADPLAAS – The Mbombela High Court has sentenced Daluxolo Mmeli Mazibuko (20), from Badplaas, to 25 years direct imprisonment for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Mazibuko pleaded guilty to the murder of Jabulani Dlangamandla and was convicted on both charges. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
The incident happened on December 7, 2024 in Badplaas when Dlangamandla, a bread delivery driver, and his colleagues had just completed a delivery at a tuck shop when they were approached by Mazibuko and two unidentified accomplices.
The suspects were armed with a firearm and demanded valuables.
During the robbery, one of the accomplices fired a shot, striking Dlangamandla in the neck. He later died from his injuries.
His colleagues escaped unharmed, while the suspects fled the scene.
Community members later spotted Mazibuko, pursued him and handed him over to police. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of a cellphone belonging to the deceased.
In court, Mazibuko entered into a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement with the State. The agreement was accepted by the court.
Senior State Advocate Mkhuseli Ntaba addressed the court in aggravation of sentence, highlighting the prevalence of violent crime and noting that the victim was killed while carrying out his duties.
The court sentenced Mazibuko to 25 years’ imprisonment for murder and 10 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 25-year term.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the outcome and reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting violent crime.
