Hitman sentenced for murder of two people in Zithobeni
Sibusiso Mtshali shot an killed a taxi boss from Zithobeni and his friend.
The Pretoria High Court sentenced Sibusiso Mtshali (29) from Vosloorus on April 26 to two life terms for two counts of premeditated murder, 15 years for three counts of attempted murder, six years for possession of a firearm and three years for possession of ammunition.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on May 19, 2019 taxi businessman Convency Lawrence Twala was at his home in Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, with four friends when Mtshali and two unknown accomplices arrived and fired shots at them before fleeing.
Twala was shot and died at the scene, Kagiso Zachariah Rampou died in hospital and two other victims sustained gunshot wounds.
Lumka Mahanjana, NPA spokesperson said, “Mtshali was arrested on March 24, 2022, at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court where he was appearing on a separate murder charge and has been in custody since being denied bail.”
Mtshali pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Mahanjana said, “During mitigation of sentence through his attorney, Mtshali asked the court to consider his age when imposing the sentence and asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence.”
In aggravation, prosecutor advocate Sipho Lalane argued that Mtshali showed no remorse for his actions.
“He had ample time to change his mind while driving from Johannesburg to Bronkhorstspruit, but he did not,” said Mahanjana.
