Three men accused of murdering Toti resident Stephen Coetzee Jnr (22) in 2012 each received life sentences in the Durban High Court last week.
Nkululeko Mkhize (23), Nhlanipho Andile Sikhonde (25) and Mxolisi Zwane (25) were found guilty of the murder of Coetzee, as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances.
On 11 May, five armed men entered the Coetzee’s residence in Umdoni Grove, St Winifreds where Stephen and his father were busy in their garage.
The men took one vehicle and while making their escape, crashed into the side of the driveway, where they abandoned the vehicle. While attempting to flee with another vehicle, one of the men shot Stephen, who died on arrival at Kingsway Hospital.
The men fled the scene with the vehicle and a cellphone, and a case of murder and robbery was opened for investigation.
“Through tenuous investigation and dedication, investigating officer detective W/O Francois Esterhuizen was able to trace the cellphone, which led police to establish the whereabouts of the suspects,” said Toti SAPS communication officer, Captain Charlene van der Spuy.
Before an arrest could be effected, the men fled to Johannesburg. While there, the gang committed several other armed robberies and was arrested during a shoot-out with the police in which one of them was fatally wounded.
“The other four suspects were arrested and appeared in the Johannesburg Regional Court. The suspects and firearm used were positively linked to the Amanzimtoti murder case,” said Capt Van Der Spuy.
“One of the men died in a Johannesburg correctional facility while awaiting trial and the remaining three were brought to Durban to stand trial.”
Last Thursday, 14 April all three accused were convicted in Durban High Court for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances and the following day were each sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery.
The accused asked for leave to appeal to the sentence given, but this was denied.
“Toti SAPS management applauds W/O Esterhuizen for all the time, effort and dedication he put in, having to travel numerous times to Johannesburg and back, to secure this successful conviction.”
