Sanele Chonco (26) and Xolani Khumalo (26) have been convicted and sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for two counts of murder and a total of 30 years for robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Both accused were sentenced yesterday by the Mthunzini High Court after the judge heard how they killed a police officer and robbed him of his vehicle and firearm in the Ekuvukeni area.
On December 14, 2012, the decomposed body of off-duty Constable Mesula Mavimbela was found in a donga in the Ekuvukeni area. It appeared that he had been robbed of his Toyota Verso, as well as his service pistol.
A case of murder and robbery was opened at Ekuvukeni police station and the Hawks took over the investigation.
A second case was reported at Ekuvukeni police station after 26-year-old Lindokuhle Shange was shot and later died in hospital.
The two accused were also linked to this killing, and the docket was also taken over by the Hawks. Following an intensive investigation, the firearm belonging to Constable Mavimbela was found with the accused.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, has welcomed the sentence given to the accused. “This sentence will send a strong message to other criminals who attack and kill our police officers. We encourage our communities to stand up and condemn the killing of police officers in the province. These police officers are part of our communities and have roots within our communities. Therefore, when they are killed, our communities are being robbed of very vital members,” she said.
