Six men have been sentenced to life imprisonment each following a violent incident that happened in La Rochelle that claimed the lives of two people.

Two groups of Congolese nationals got into a fight at the corner of Forrest and 8th Street in La Rochelle on December 15, 2023.

During the fight, two people were stabbed. One died at the scene, and the other died at South Rand Hospital.

The six accused are Nzinga Percy Makeba, Ntumba Cedric Mabayi, Osuadi Sumbusu, Kandol Kando Jerry, Bukaso Mukeba, and Lusenga Bosengele. They were arrested and were convicted on multiple charges.

On March 6, the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court sentenced each accused as follows:

• Count one: Murder, life imprisonment for each suspect.

• Count two: Murder, seven years imprisonment for each suspect.

• Count three: Public violence, five years each suspect.

• Count four: Contravention of the Immigration Act: Remaining in South Africa without necessary permits, a two-year sentence for each suspect.

Moffat View SAPS welcomed the sentences.