A 33-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced for the various offences he committed between February 2021 and January 2022, including the murder of Cliffdale councillor Minenhle Mkhize.

Mxolisi Mzokhona Gcabashe was sentenced to life and 29 years imprisonment by the Durban High Court.

He was convicted of theft, two counts of unlawful possession of firearms and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition and murder.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Gcabashe stole a Toyota Hilux vehicle valued at R450 000 in February 2021 in Hillcrest.

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In March 2021, he was found in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in the KwaNyuswa area.

The deceased Mkhize was the ward councillor of Ward 103 in the Cliffdale area. He was voted into this position in the November 2021 national local government elections.

According to Ramkisson-Kara, Mkhize’s appointment caused unhappiness and disgruntlement among some of his fellow political party members.

“In January 2022, Mkhize was outside his home, seated in his vehicle, when Gcabashe drove there. Gcabashe approached Mkhize and shot him several times before fleeing the scene. Mkhize died immediately as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to his head.”

“A month later, police recovered the vehicle used in the shooting at Gcabashe’s home. The car belonged to him. He was also found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.”

In court, Senior State Advocate Elvis Gcweka (assisted by advocates Nhlanhla Shange and Bonga Vika), led the evidence of eyewitnesses who saw the murder unfold, as well as the evidence of police officials and cellphone data.

“The state also led ballistic evidence linking Gcabashe to the murder, as firearm cartridges found on the scene matched the gun that was found in his possession upon arrest.

“Gcweka handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Mkhize’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Prudence Geraud,” reported Ramkisson-Kara.

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In her statement, the mother said that Mkhize was her only child and they shared a close relationship. He was a good father and cared for everyone. She said that his death has left a void in their lives. His children are performing poorly at school as they, too, cannot get over what happened.

Gcabashe was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 20 years imprisonment for the two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm (eight and 12 years respectively), six years imprisonment for the two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition (four and two years respectively), and three years imprisonment for the theft.

The sentences will run concurrently with the term of life imprisonment. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm and the court made an order that Mkhize’s family must be consulted by the Department of Correctional Services if Gcabashe is ever considered for parole.

Ramkisson-Kara said the National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence.

“We commend the successful partnership between the prosecution and the Political Task Team. Political killings are rife in KZN, and we hope that sentences of this nature will serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals. The NPA and its partners are determined to bring perpetrators to account for their actions.”

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