A man was sentenced to prison for 15 years after he was found guilty by the Gauteng Regional Court for the murder of 57-year-old Themba Zulu.
Captain Solomon Sibiya from the Kagiso police said the 28-year-old Sanele Nyaqela stabbed Zulu for trying to stop him from assaulting his daughter.
Nyaqela allegedly had an argument with his girlfriend who was in the company of Zulu’s daughter. She intervened in the argument and tried to stop Nyaqela who then turned on her. Zulu was informed that his daughter was being assaulted and he rushed to the scene where he tried to stop Nyaqela.
“The accused instead drew a jungle knife and stabbed Zulu in the stomach and thereafter fled the scene,” Captain Sibiya explained.
Zulu was rushed to a local hospital in a critical condition and was admitted to ICU where he died a few days later.
Nyaqela had been on the run since the incident and was finally apprehended and arrested with three accomplices while he was driving a vehicle without a number plate in central Kagiso. While searching their vehicle police found ammunition.
Sergeant Livhuwani Maleba was the investigating officer in the murder case and had spent many sleepless nights in search of the suspect. He was also the first to hear about the arrest of the four suspects and positively identified Nyaqela as the prime suspect in his case.
“Having established reliable sources, Maleba pulled out all stops to make sure that the deceased’s family see justice.”
On Wednesday, July 13 Nyaqela was found guilty of the murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Gauteng Regional court. He was also declared unfit to posses a firearm.
“The investigating officer has shown great potential, ability and determination to put the accused where he belongs. The relationship with and loyalty of members of the community have played a vital role in the accused’s successful conviction,” praised Brigadier Themba Maduna, the Kagiso Police station commander.
