The Durban High Court has handed down a combined eight life sentences plus 187 years in prison to three men convicted of a string of violent crimes linked to the taxi industry across KwaZulu-Natal.

The convicted men – Nkazumulo Ndlovu (28) of Empangeni, Mzameleni Tsepo Majola (33) of Mkhandlwini, Melmoth, and Mondli Fihlela (35) from Ndwedwe – were found guilty of multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The crimes were committed in various parts of the province, including Mayville, KwaDukuza, Empangeni and KwaMsane.

• Ndlovu received the harshest sentence: six life terms plus 92 years.
• Fihlela was sentenced to two life terms and 50 years.
• Majola was handed 45 years behind bars.

All three were declared unfit to possess firearms.

The cases were transferred to the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit, where investigators worked to compile evidence that ultimately led to the men’s arrest in February 2022. The accused remained in custody from the time of their arrest until sentencing.

The convictions and sentencing mark a significant outcome in ongoing efforts to address violence linked to the taxi industry, which has long been a source of deadly conflict in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

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