EVATON – What started as accusations over stolen drugs and a firearm ended in a bloodbath that left three men dead and another fighting for his life.
Now, more than three years later, justice has finally caught up with the killers.
This comes after the Sebokeng Regional Court sentenced Patrick Mphindeli Mkhwanazi (39) and William Mbuyiswa (29), both from Evaton, to life imprisonment each on three counts of murder as well as 15 years’ direct imprisonment for attempted murder.
The horrific attack happened in the early hours of February 22, 2023, when the pair stormed one of the victims’ homes in Evaton.
They accused four men of stealing Mkhwanazi’s drugs and firearm before launching a savage attack with a panga and other weapons.
Three victims died at the scene while a fourth survived with injuries after neighbours alerted police.
The duo was both arrested on the spot following the community’s intervention.
Despite pleading not guilty throughout the trial, overwhelming evidence presented by State Prosecutor Vusi Mbabane convinced the court that the pair were responsible for the brutal killings.
The defence pleaded for leniency, arguing that both men were first-time offenders, young and employed.
However, the State maintained there were no exceptional circumstances to justify a lighter sentence, saying the accused had shown no remorse for their actions.
The court agreed, finding that the gruesome nature of the crimes and the complete lack of remorse warranted the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
In a statement, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana welcomed the outcome.
“This sentence sends a strong message that violent crimes will not be tolerated and that those who brutally take the lives of others will be held accountable. We remain committed to ensuring justice for victims, protecting our communities and pursuing sentences that reflect the seriousness of these offences,” said Mahanjana.
The convicted killers have remained behind bars since their arrest after the NPA successfully opposed their bail applications.
