The Madadeni High Court sentenced the 36-year-old Simphiwe Wellington Mhlungu to 30 years imprisonment for killing a Ladysmith K9 police officer by bumping his car to lure him out of the vehicle before shooting him and stealing his official firearm.

In December 2021 Sergeant Protas Siphiwe Mazibuko (43) was driving to his place of residence when his vehicle was bumped from behind by an unknown vehicle.

He was shot and killed after he got out of his car to see what happened and his service pistol was stolen in the process.

The Newcastle-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit with Ladysmith police officers from visible policing, K9, tactical response team and crime intelligence worked diligently to solve the case.

The accused was arrested two days after the incident and found with Mazibuko’s firearm in his possession.

After a five-day trial, Mhlungu was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for murder, 10 years imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm and five years imprisonment for theft of a firearm.