The killer of a man who was stabbed to death in the Burford area during December 2010 was recently sentenced to a lengthy jail term.
The murder happened on December 28, 2010, when the deceased, 27-year-old Sindile Othiniel Mwelase, and his girlfriend were at home. The accused, 29-year-old Mlungisi Erik Hlongwane, arrived at their home and stabbed Mr Mwelase, fatally wounding him in the neck. His girlfriend also sustained a stab wound.
During the investigation, it came to light that the accused had previously had a relationship with the deceased’s girlfriend and was jealous of her new relationship. This prompted him to stab the man in the neck. The injured Mr Mwelase died at the scene.
The accused fled the area, and his arrest was the result of an anonymous tip given to an off-duty detective. Hlongwane was arrested in November 2011 after he returned to the St Chad’s area of Ezakheni. The investigating officer, Captain Mntambo, prepared the case docket for trial, which was held at the Ladysmith Regional Court.
Hlongwane was sentenced on October 1 this year to 15 years’ imprisonment for murder and eight years for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
