Two from Elukwatini handed life imprisonment plus 22 years for violent crimes
According to the NPA's provincial spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the court ordered the sentences for attempted murder and robbery to run concurrently with the life sentences.
Two men were sentenced to life imprisonment plus 22 years each for a spree of violent crimes, including the murder of Muzafalo Kamyuka.
Themba Calyster Nkosi (48) and Siyabonga Bongani Maseko (30) were sentenced by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court on Friday, July 4.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s provincial spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the accused were convicted of murder, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“On the evening of February 22, 2022, the two men, together with an unidentified accomplice, accosted the victim as he arrived at home with his wife and five-year-old child in his vehicle. The armed convicts robbed the victims of their valuables, including cellphones, and forced the family into the back seat of their vehicle,” Nyuswa said.
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They then drove to a secluded area outside the village, ordered the family out of the vehicle, and opened fire as the victims fled – fatally shooting Kamyuka.
Following police investigations, the accused were arrested and positively identified during an identity parade.
“Although Nkosi and Maseko pleaded not guilty, Senior State Advocate Thulani Msibi led compelling evidence from several witnesses, including the deceased’s wife and a cellphone data analyst. A post-mortem report confirmed that Kamyaka’s cause of death was a penetrating gunshot wound to the head,” Nyuswa said.
In aggravation of sentence, Msibi highlighted the lack of remorse shown by the accused and described the murder as “cruel, gruesome, senseless and inhumane.”
A victim impact statement from the deceased’s wife, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Nondumiso Thwala, outlined the severe emotional and psychological trauma she continues to endure.
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The court found no compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and imposed the following on each accused: life imprisonment for murder, seven years for attempted murder and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The court ordered that the sentences for attempted murder and robbery run concurrently with the life sentence, meaning both accused will effectively serve life imprisonment.
Additionally, they were declared unfit to possess a firearm, and an application by accused one for leave to appeal both conviction and sentence was dismissed following the State’s objection.
