High court imposes three life sentences on murderer from eMzinoni
Mthunzi Nkabinde shot and killed his father-in-law Mandla Mabuza (55), his wife’s sister Nomcebo (24), and his wife’s brother-in-law, Sello Masilela (28), at their family home in Ext 4, Kanana Section in eMzinoni on April 9, 2022.
The Middelburg High Court handed down three life imprisonment sentences to Mthunzi Nkabinde (44) on December 15 for the murder of three family members.
Nkabinde shot and killed his father-in-law Mandla Mabuza (55), his wife’s sister Nomcebo (24), and his wife’s brother-in-law, Sello Masilela (28), at their family home in Ext 4, Kanana Section in eMzinoni on April 9, 2022.
He had gone to the house to speak to his estranged wife, but an argument erupted between them. When she tried to escape, he shot her in the leg and neck. She barely survived.
He fled the scene to Ermelo where he handed himself over to police.
The investigating officer, Detective Lethuxolo Hlengethwa, presented circumstantial evidence before the court with witnesses, leading to the conviction and sentencing of Nkabinde.
The court also learned that Nkabinde intentionally shot and killed his in-laws and showed no remorse for his actions.
Before imposing the sentence, the judge looked at the seriousness of the crime and the harm caused by Nkabinde to the families and society.
The judge could not overrule the fact that the country is facing a challenge regarding gender-based violence and femicide, which was declared a national crisis by President Ramaphosa.
Nkabinde was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder on counts one, two and three; five years on count four for attempted murder and one year imprisonment on count five for malicious damage to property.
The court ordered that the sentences on counts two, three, four, and five run concurrently.
Nkabinde was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
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