Trio jailed for attempted murder of off-duty Amanzimtoti cop

The Durban Regional Court yesterday sentenced three men to 10 years’ direct imprisonment for the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer.

According to The Witness, the three – Ndabezinhle Mvune (29), Simiso Mthimkhulu (47) and Thamsanqa Msabala (29) – attempted to murder Captain Johannes Grotius in August 2021.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said Grotius had been walking along Cato Crest Street in Amanzimtoti when he noticed a suspicious taxi with three occupants. He approached the vehicle intending to ask if they needed help.

“During the course, an altercation ensued, and one of the suspects hit the captain with a beer can. The captain picked it up and threw it back in the taxi. The three accused descended on the captain and severely assaulted him,” read the statement.

Grotius sustained a fractured skull, brain bleeding, broken fingers and several lacerations to his face and body.

His wife witnessed the incident, and he was rushed to a local hospital before being transferred for brain surgery.

Due to the seriousness of his injuries, Grotius was medically boarded by SAPS, where he had been attached to the Air Wing Unit.

“In 2022, Mvune, Mthimkhulu and Msabala were arrested by Hawks members from the Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation. They were charged accordingly and appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court several times until they were found guilty on May 29,” said Mhlongo.

The three were also declared unfit to possess firearms.

KZN Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation head Major General Lesetja Senona welcomed the sentence and commended investigators for their work.

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