Taxi hit-man Themba Raphael ‘Kinati’ Mvelase was handed a hefty 176 years’ imprisonment yesterday (February 23) in the Durban High Court.
Last week Wednesday, Mvelase was found guilty in the Ramsgate High Court for the ambush killings of the ‘October 11 Massacre’, which resulted in the death of 15 people in one afternoon.
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The court handed down six life sentences on six counts of murder, 10 years for attempted murder cases, 10 years for another attempted murder and six years for causing malicious damage to property.
The court described Mvelase as a “man who did not value human life” and who committed serious crimes which had a devastating impact on the lives of all the affected families.
Mvelase, who was the hit-man involved in the conflict between three families (Mabaso, Gamede and Mvelase), was at the forefront of a bloody taxi conflict which escalated into faction fighting in the Ezakheni and Esdakeni areas.
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MEC Kaunda said he decided to attend this sentencing to witness justice being meted out and described this as a “victory for the criminal justice system.”
“Immediately after the sentencing, I went to congratulate the detective team and the prosecution. We celebrate this sentence as a victory for the criminal justice system and a classic example of excellent work. We commend the magistrate, who was firm in articulating the seriousness and implication caused by people like Mvelase in society. Six life sentences and an additional 26 years is indeed hefty and will send a clear message to all those terrorising people in the taxi industry and the community in general. Violence can never be a solution. We have asked the police to continue their investigation into who the masterminds were behind this attack. We have no doubt that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them as well. We hope the families of all the deceased will find closure,” said Kaunda.
Kaunda also confirmed that the government’s efforts are ongoing to resolve the conflict in Esdakeni with the affected families. The current deployment of police and dialogue currently underway has helped stabilise the area.
“We are paying particular focus on the area of Ezakheni and Esdakeni. With the latest court judgment, we are confident that everyone will be convinced to resort to dialogue instead of violence and killings. We have travelled a long journey with the affected families and traditional leadership, and we will engage until peace and stability is totally achieved. We are extremely concerned about the level of brutality and illegal firearms in our communities,” concluded Kaunda.
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