A 2017 case has been closed after five men were found guilty and sentenced in the Durban High Court recently for aggravated robbery and murder at a Hibberdene tavern.
The crime was committed on January 28, 2017 after the group of men stormed into a tavern in the Mathuluini area and opened fire killing one person and injuring another.
They took cash, alcohol and a cellphone before fleeing.
Hibberdene police responded to the scene and were informed that one of the suspects injured an accomplice in the shooting. Police were then able to arrest two suspects the same day at a local clinic where the injured suspect was receiving treatment for his gunshot wound. Prompt investigation led to the arrest of the other three suspects, and they remained in custody throughout the trial.
Nhlanhla Maluleka (24) was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 18 years’ for murder, eight years’ and a further five years’ for two counts of attempted murder.
Mbongeni Shinga (31) was sentenced to 10 years’ for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 22 years’ for murder and eight years’ for attempted murder.
Phakamani Sphamandla Ncube (28), Sifiso Gwala (26) and Nhlkanipho Maradona Nene (27) were each sentenced to 10 years’ for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 22 years’ for murder, eight years’ and a further five years’ for attempted murder. The sentences are to run concurrently.
It was also discovered that some of these men are linked to other cases which they will still appear for.
The investigating officer for this case was Detective Constable Mlungisi Maphumulo of Hibberdene Detective Services.
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