20 year sentences for murder duo who strangled man for his car
The High Court Mpumalanga Division sitting in Middelburg, sentenced Zakhele Sihlangu (32) and Sibusiso Frans Mzangwa (34) to 20 years imprisonment, for killing their friend, Lucky Bongani Kutumela (38).
Sihlangu and Mzangwa pleaded guilty to murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The court heard that on 3 May 2019, the pair, who were related to Kutumela, were with him at a local tavern.
On their way back home, they ordered Kutumela to stop the vehicle as they wanted to relieve themselves.
Instead, they got out of the vehicle, pinned him to the ground and strangled him to death.
They left his lifeless body in the Mountainview bushes at KwaMhlanga.
The following day, the pair sold Kutumela’s vehicle, a Volkswagen Citi Golf, and bought brandy with the money.
They later handed themselves over to the police, tendered confessions and later pleaded guilty.
State Advocate, Mmamphai Tshwane, asked the court to impose life sentences.
However, the court took into consideration that both Sihlangu and Mzangwa showed remorse, and were first time offenders.
They were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each for murder and 10 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments.
As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online.
Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol.
A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you have a news lead?
Contact our editorial office on 013 243 1434 or our standby number for emergencies on 072 248 3855 to share your story with us.
Follow us on the Middelburg Observer Facebook group or page or send a WhatsApp to 072 248 3855 with the words “add me” for the latest news.
