An accused in a murder and house robbery case was recently sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The accused, 36-year-old Muziwamadoda Enerst Mkhwanazi, broke into the home of 72-year-old Kana Catherine Nhlapho in Roosboom on May 7.
The homeowner, Mrs Nhlapho, woke up to find him inside her house, which she shared with her grandchildren (aged 6 and 12) and a disabled family member. Mkhwanazi demanded money from Mrs Nhlapho and when she explained to him that she had none, Mkhwanazi shot her dead. He then stole items from the house and fled.
On May 9, Ladysmith TRT arrested Mkhwanazi in Ladysmith after he was found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol and ammunition.
Police were able to match his fingerprints to those found inside the home of Mrs Nhlapho. Mkhwanazi was arrested and later convicted. He was sentenced as follows on Tuesday last week during a High Court sitting at Madadeni: 20 years behind bars for murder, 10 years for house robbery, 5 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm, and 12 months for possession of unlicensed ammunition.
The sentences are to run concurrently. Mkhwanazi was also linked to a theft out of a motor vehicle case, as well as 2 housebreaking cases, for which he was sentenced to a total of 9 years’ imprisonment. The case was investigated by Ladysmith Cluster Trio Crime Task Team members Major Jan van Straten and Sergeant Marina Mynhardt.
