Life sentences for murderers
Three young men will be spending the rest of their days in prison after being sentenced for murder
THREE men were found guilty of murder and sentenced in the Melmoth Regional Court last week.
Phakamani Sbusiso Nhleko (27) of Umlazi, Mduduzi Smagaliso Nxumalo (22) of Lamontville and Sibonelo Gumede (26) of Umlazi each received life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The three men, together with a fourth who turned state witness, shot and killed Senzo Mhlonipeni Nhleko and assaulted and injured his wife Cynthia Sindisiwe Nhleko on 28 November last year in their Mhlabatini home.
The men alleged that the deceased owed Nhleko money and the plan was to steal the victim’s Isuzu bakkie and two cell phones as payment.
A special task team was established in the uThungulu cluster, consisting of Sgt Nathan Pottier, Sgt Thulani Ngema, Constable Themba Ndlela and Constable Xolani Ngema, who traced and arrested the four men in Durban on 16 April.
They recovered a 9mm pistol and the stolen vehicle.
