TONGA -Mahlalela received 15 years’ imprisonment for house robbery and a life sentence for murder that was committed at Block B.
On August 16, 2012 he and a group of men robbed a family in Block B in the early morning hours and also killed one of the family members.
The victim died of suffocation after she was strangled and covered with a blanket by her attackers.
The family was asleep when the accused and his accomplices had broken in and tied them up with wires, demanding money, jewellery and the car keys.
After the attackers had fled the scene with the family’s vehicle, the victims managed to untie themselves. Police investigations led to the recovery of their vehicle, and further investigations led to Mahlalela’s arrest.
The Tonga Police Station commander Brig Velisiwe Mdaka congratulated investigating officer, Const Vusi Thobela, for the good work and dedication he demonstrated in ensuring that this suspect was arrested, and for doing follow-ups until the day of sentencing.
“This should be a lesson to others that crime does not pay.” Mdaka said.
