A combined four life sentences and 65 years of imprisonment was handed down to the group behind the 2022 murders of Sipho Sibisi and Londiwe Shongwe.

The Madadeni High Court last Thursday sentenced hitman Sinqobile ‘Sqora’ Zondi (23) and his accomplices Qondeni Mhlongo (50), Sandile Manqele (35) and Ritta Mthembu (67).

Zondi received two life sentences for murder, along with 15 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Mhlongo and Manqele were each sentenced to two life terms for murder plus 10 years for conspiracy to commit murder.

Mthembu was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The group had conspired to murder Sibisi (38) and Shongwe (25) in an attempt to fraudulently claim insurance pay-outs.

Sibisi was stabbed and killed in Umhambuma in April 2022, while Shongwe was shot and killed at her home in Macambini, Mandeni in December 2022.

Shongwe was reportedly in a relationship with Manqele at the time of her death.

Zondi was the first to be arrested after being caught by Nyoni Saps in January 2023. He was found with a pistol and ammunition.

Further investigation led the police to Doringkop where the other three co-conspirators were later arrested.

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