Former Operation Dudula leader handed suspended sentence for misguided Dobsonville raid
'Lux Dlamini' was ordered to pay the complainant damages as part of the sentence which is wholly suspended for three years.
The leader of Operation Dudula, which is regarded as a vigilante organisation, was handed a combined seven-year sentence by the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.
Popularly known as Lux Dlamini, Ntlantla Lux Mohlauhi was charged with two counts relating to a vigilante drug search in March 2022. Mohlauhi was since found guilty of one count of housebreaking with intent to steal and another of malicious injury to property. The court sentenced the 35-year-old to two years imprisonment for the housebreaking charge and five years for the malicious injury to property charge.
• Also read: Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla ‘Lux’ Dlamini released on R1 500 bail
The sentences will be wholly suspended for three years and Mohlauhi will serve no time behind bars on condition that he is not convicted of the two charges again within the three-year window. The court added a further condition of Mohlauhi paying the complainant, Victor Ramarafe, an amount of R9 500 in cash on or before 13:00 on August 24 for damages to his property. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has since confirmed that the compensatory condition has been met.
The accused was arrested on March 24 last year following a complaint that Operation Dudula members badly damaged the complainant’s home in Dobsonville after accusing him of being a drug dealer.
• Also read: Operation Dudula members protest outside Roodepoort Magistrates Court for the release of their leader
“Control Prosecutor Linda Duma argued that the court must send a strong message that lawlessness cannot be tolerated. He further argued that citizens like the complainant seek protection from our courts,” stated NPA Gauteng Local Division regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
“The NPA welcomes the sentence and hopes it will promote respect for the rule of law. We further hope that it will deter citizens from being a law unto themselves, but reporting suspicious activities in their surroundings to law enforcement authorities. Credit goes to Sergeant Thivhineli Sydney Phungo and Mr Duma for their collective effort that resulted in this successful prosecution,” concluded Mjonondwane.
