Man gets 10 years for Mariannhill police murder
Constable Zolani Zuma's body was found burnt beyond recognition after he attempted to stop two men he suspected had looted during the July 2021 riots.
THE Durban High Court sentenced Mzikayifani Ndebele (20) and Sibusiso Ndlela (21) for the murder of Constable Zolani Zuma who was stationed at Mariannhill Public Order Policing.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said the 32-year-old officer was off-duty on July 13, 2021, when he noticed a vehicle that was transporting people with stolen goods during the July unrest.
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The constable followed the vehicle to the Tshelimnyama location where an altercation ensued.
“During the confrontation, the driver of the vehicle hit Constable Zuma with an iron rod, and he was disarmed by Ndebele.
“Ndebele fired several shots towards Constable Zuma, and he was severely injured. The driver of the vehicle also sustained a gunshot wound. Ndlela put Constable Zuma’s injured body in the boot of his vehicle and drove to Milky Way Road in Dassenhoek where they burnt the vehicle.”
Mhlongo said the officer’s body was found burnt beyond recognition. A case of murder was reported at Mariannhill Police Station, and the case docket was allocated to Hawks members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation.
In February last year, Ndebele and Ndlela were arrested in the Msinga area.
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“They were both charged with murder, attempted murder and kidnapping. Their bail was successfully opposed, and they were in custody until they were sentenced on November 1.
“Ndebele was sentenced to four years imprisonment for attempted murder while Ndlela was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for murder and four years imprisonment for kidnapping. They both launched an appeal and later abandoned it on Thursday last week.”
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation provincial head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, welcomed the sentence and applauded the investigating and prosecution team for their good work.
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