Thabiso Mokoena and Zama Mhlanga have each been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Madadeni Regional Court. They were found guilty of kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice following the death of Musawenkosi Sithole in Osizweni in November 2022.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA regional spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Division, said their co-accused, Bandile Radebe and Sanele Hlatshwayo, were each convicted of kidnapping and attempted murder and sentenced to an effective 15 years’ direct imprisonment.

Beaten and thrown into a river

Ramkisson-Kara said the court heard that on November 7, 2022, Musawenkosi Sithole was at a house with friends when the four accused arrived.

“Mokoena suspected Sithole of stealing the rims from his motor vehicle. Following an ‘interrogation’, Sithole was forced into Mokoena’s bakkie and tied up with rope. The accused then drove away with Sithole, repeatedly questioning him about the missing rims while assaulting him,” she said.

They later stopped near a bridge in an industrial area in Madadeni, where the beating continued.

Sithole was allegedly kicked, hit with sticks and gagged with a sock. Mhlanga then repeatedly struck him on the head with a rock.

“When Sithole became motionless, Mokoena and Mhlanga threw him into a river,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

The accused returned to the house where they had initially found Sithole and allegedly told their friends that he had escaped and run away.

After Sithole failed to return home, his family reported him missing to the police. Police investigations eventually revealed that Sithole had last been seen in the company of the accused, leading to their arrest.

“Despite extensive investigations, his body was never recovered.”

Court hands down life sentences

During the trial, prosecutor Sicelo Hlela presented testimony from a Section 204 witness, as well as accounts from Sithole’s friends who had observed him being taken away by the accused.

The court imposed the following sentences:

Thabiso Mokoena and Zama Mhlanga:

• Five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping;
• Life imprisonment for murder;
• Five years’ imprisonment for defeating the administration of justice.

They will serve an effective sentence of life imprisonment.

Bandile Radebe and Sanele Hlatshwayo:

• Five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping;
• 15 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder.

They will serve an effective sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

In relation to Radebe and Hlatshwayo, the court accepted that they had participated in the assault of the deceased.

However, the court found that it had not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Sithole was already deceased when Mokoena and Mhlanga threw him into the river.

Consequently, the court convicted Radebe and Hlatshwayo of attempted murder.

All four accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA welcomed the outcome and commended the prosecution team for securing justice in a matter involving a particularly brutal and senseless act of violence.

“This conviction underscores the NPA’s commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring that justice is pursued relentlessly on behalf of victims, their families and affected communities.”

“The NPA remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and trusts that the sentences imposed send a strong message that violent crimes of this nature will not be tolerated,” she concluded.

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