The double murder case in which Constable Mgaga and a female friend were gunned down in Murchison Street, in April last year, reached its conclusion in court yesterday (Thursday). The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment during a High Court session at Madadeni.
It was about 5pm on April 29 last year when 28-year-old Siphamandla Power-Lord Mgaga, an off-duty police constable, stopped his vehicle in Murchison Street to meet and give a lift to Nonkululeko Mgaga. He had been helping 28-year-old Nonkululeko with a domestic violence matter, as she had been having problems with her boyfriend, 36-year-old ex-police reservist Constable Mfaniseni Snotty Khumalo.
Just after Nonkululeko got into the vehicle, Khumalo approached the vehicle and fired at the occupants with a 9mm firearm licensed to him.
Nonkululeko was fatally wounded in the head, while Const Mgaga suffered a serious gunshot wound to the chest. He later died in hospital.
Before fleeing the scene, Khumalo stole his girlfriend’s cell-phone. He went into hiding before handing himself over to Colenso police several days later.
The murder case was handed to Warrant Officer Thinus Du Plooy, DPCI-HAWKS Newcastle, for investigation.
On Friday last week, the case reached its conclusion, with Khumalo being found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for the first count of murder, 22 years for the second count of murder, and five years for robbery.
