Three suspects convicted for grisly murder in Utrecht
"The body was badly burned and his legs and hands were tied up. He was gagged."
On November 12, 2018, the body of a man was found along the old Iscor Road near Krommellenboog Farm, Utrecht.
“The body was badly burned and his legs and hands were tied. He was gagged. Investigations began and the deceased was later identified as Nhlonipho Edgar Madinane, who was employed [in Newcastle],” confirmed SAPS Spokesperson, Captain Jabulani Ncube.
On December 5 that year, the investigating officers from Utrecht Detectives and the Amajuba Trio Task Team identified and arrested three suspects, who were found in Madadeni and Utrecht.
“On the same day, the members proceeded to Vlakfontein, Johannesburg where a further two suspects were arrested. It was established the deceased was in a love relationship with one of the accused, and they were always drinking with him and driving around Madadeni with the deceased’s Golf 4,” reported Cpt Ncube.
According to Cpt Ncube, it was established the deceased had been drinking with friends in Madadeni the day before his murder. While driving to Utrecht using the old Iscor Road, the deceased was strangled. The suspects then drove to November’s Drift Farm where they met another suspect.
“They tied up the deceased with a hosepipe and used curtains to gag him. They drove to a service station in Utrecht, where they made a purchase of R200 using the deceased’s bank card before driving back to the farm. They proceeded to the Iscor Road, where they poured petrol on the deceased and set him alight.”
Cpt Ncube added the suspects stole the vehicle and the deceased’s items, including a laptop, tablet, cell phone, money and his clothing. The clothing items were later burned as well.
“It was established through the post mortem the deceased was still alive when he was burned.”
The suspects allegedly sold the electronic devices and took the vehicle to Vlakfontein, where it was sold to an unknown male.
“The last accused who was at large, was later arrested in Nongoma on February 5.”
Cpt Ncube said the murder trial took place from August 26 to September 20, 2019 at the Madadeni High Court. Thereafter, the matter was transferred to the Pietermaritzburg High Court from February 10 to 14 this year, for the verdict and sentencing.
He said accused one, two and three were found guilty of count one – premeditated murder and on count two – premeditated robbery with aggravated circumstances, and were sentenced as follows:
Accused one, Sphamandla Nelson Nxumalo was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on count one and 12 years imprisonment on count two. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Accused two, Lindokuhle Jonas Nkosi and accused three, Andile Mzala Dlamini were sentenced to life imprisonment on count one and 15 years imprisonment on count two. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Family members of the deceased were present on the day of sentencing.
“They were very pleased with the sentences handed down to the accused involved, and further impressed for the quick finalisation of the matter. Long hours and hard work was put into this docket to get it court-ready and to ensure a high quality docket was presented, to ensure convictions,” concluded Cpt Ncube.
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