The three men accused of killing African National Congress Ward Eight Councillor Jimmy Jabulani Lembethe in August last year were sentenced to life imprisonment at the High Court in Newcastle last week.

Khithi Mlele, Mhlengeni Patrick Mavimbela and Sibonelo Ndimande were found guilty of murdering Mr Lembethe by shooting him dead in his home in Frere. The three accused also received ten years imprisonment for three counts of attempted murder, which will run concurrently with the life sentence.

Umtshezi Municipality Mayor Bongani Dlamini, who also spoke on behalf of the ANC, welcomed the sentencing.

“Although the life sentence will not bring him back, we feel that justice was done and it should be a lesson to all the criminals,” he said. Mr Dlamini added that he was concerned that one of the accused was a brother to a councillor.

“This is an issue that needs a closer look from the leadership of the National Freedom Party,” he concluded.