Almost four years after the murder of Mqobi Surprise Mkhwanazi, his family can finally find some measure of closure after the last of his three killers was sentenced in the High Court sitting in Delmas.

Sthembiso Mbokane was sentenced on March 25 after pleading guilty to all charges earlier this month, bringing an end to a case that had unfolded since July 2022.

According to Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the court heard pre-sentencing arguments from both the State and the defence on March 24.

Mbokane had initially opted to stand trial, unlike his younger brother, Bafana, who pleaded guilty in October last year. In a plea agreement between the State and defence, Bafana David Mbokane received an effective 20-year prison sentence.

Mkhwanazi, 29, was reported missing by his family on July 18, 2022, after he was said to have been kidnapped by men travelling in a white BMW. Two days later, police discovered his partially burnt body in the Vaal River in Standerton. He had been shot.

Investigations revealed that Mkhwanazi knew his attackers. All three men were colleagues at New Denmark Mine, where Mkhwanazi worked as a security manager. It emerged in court that he had previously caught Sthembiso Mbokane working while intoxicated, and that Mbokane had planned the murder to prevent him from reporting the incident.

Mkhwanazi lived in Thuthukani.

On the day of Mkhwanazi’s disappearance, the Mbokane brothers picked him up in the morning in a white BMW with the pretense of offering him a lift to work.

Police swiftly arrested the brothers in Standerton, while co-accused Sibusiso Radebe was apprehended in Sakhile. Radebe was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, and the deceased’s bank cards.

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Police also seized two vehicles linked to the crime: a white BMW and a white Mazda double-cab bakkie. All three accused faced charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice.

Radebe, who was initially granted bail before being rearrested and charged with murder, later turned State witness before the case was transferred to the High Court in Delmas. Mbokane has now been sentenced to 53 years’ imprisonment, of which he will effectively serve 30 years.

“Though the final outcome is not entirely what we expected, we thank all for the support we have received from the start to the very end,” said Mkhwanazi’s sister, Nomsa.

Family members, including Mkhwanazi’s aunt Hlengiwe, attended the sentencing alongside members of the ANC Women’s League. They indicated that the Mbokane family had sought to apologise through the State advocate.

However, the apology was declined. According to Nomsa, the family said the broader Mkhwanazi clan would first need to be consulted before any such gesture could be considered.