Three Bushbuckridge men sentence to life for brutal double murder

The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the murders of Isaac Mdaka and Xoli Mathebula. The sentences were handed down to Mpilo Clinton Twala (35), Advice Philimon Lubisi (39) and Joshua Mkhonto (42) on Tuesday, July 29.

According to Monica Nyuswa, the provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, the incident occurred on March 1, 2020, when the accused abducted the two victims from their homes in Xhimungwe, accusing them of breaking into Twala’s tavern.

“They took the victims to an open field, where they severely assaulted them using scissor jacks before dousing them with petrol and setting them alight,” said Nyuswa.

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Despite his injuries, Mdaka initially survived. A passer-by found him and alerted his father, who called an ambulance. Both victims were taken to Matikwane Hospital, but Mdaka later succumbed to his burn injuries.

The accused were arrested a week after the attack. During the trial, all three pleaded not guilty and denied involvement. Senior State Advocate Vuyo Mkhulise led compelling evidence, including the testimony of Mdaka before his death and accounts from eyewitnesses who identified the accused.

Post-mortem reports confirming severe burn injuries as the cause of death were also submitted. The court found all three accused guilty as charged.

Each was sentenced to life imprisonment for each count of murder; five years’ imprisonment for each count of kidnapping; and 12 months’ imprisonment for assault, suspended for five years. “The sentences will run concurrently, meaning each accused will serve life imprisonment,” said Nyuswa.

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“The court also ordered the Department of Correctional Services to consult the victims’ families before considering parole.”