The Madadeni Regional Court has sentenced 29-year-old Sanele Siyabonga Sithole to life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of Njabulo Mkhwanazi.

According to KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, Sithole brutally murdered Mkhwanazi at his home in Osizweni on the evening of June 12, 2022.

Court hears details of fatal shooting

Ramkisson-Kara explained that Mkhwanazi had been at a local tavern when he became involved in a fight with Sithole’s brother and assaulted him.

Following the altercation, the men returned to their respective homes, where Sithole’s brother informed him about the assault.

Sithole then armed himself with a firearm and went to Mkhwanazi’s home.

“Upon confronting him, Sithole shot Mkhwanazi in the face, leaving him fatally wounded,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

Sithole fled the scene, but handed himself over to police the following day.

Mother describes family’s ongoing pain

During the trial, prosecutor Zama Zikalala led the testimony of eyewitnesses who saw the shooting, as well as evidence from the officer who was present when Sithole handed himself over at the police station.

In aggravation of sentence, the State also presented evidence from Mkhwanazi’s mother, who told the court that his death had left a void in their family and that they continued to struggle to come to terms with their loss.

In addition to the life sentence, Sithole was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

“The NPA hopes this sentence will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders. We view offences of this nature in a serious light, and perpetrators will be prosecuted accordingly,” concluded Ramkisson-Kara.

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