Police killer on the run

Convicted cop killer escapes lawful custody while being transported to court in Mtunzini for sentencing

August 18, 2025

Muzi Zincume 1 minute read

Fugitive on the run after escaping from lawful custody on Monday morning, Lungisani Valentine Mkhize PHOTO: Supplied

The police in KZN have launched a massive manhunt for Lungisani Velentine Mkhize, who escaped from lawful custody earlier today (Monday).

The escape occurred on the John Ross highway, under the N2 bridge, outside Empangeni.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Mtubatuba traffic cop’s killer escapes lawful custody

According to KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mhlongo, Mkhize and his accomplice, Sphelele Gwala, assaulted a police captain on the head while he was driving.

“The police captain reduced speed as they approached the robots. The duo assaulted the driver on the head and quickly opened the doors [of the vehicle] to escape.

“There were two officers in the vehicle, and both accused were cuffed. It is not clear how they uncuffed themselves.

“Gwala was shot in the leg after he jumped out of the police vehicle. Mkhize managed to escape and is still at large,” said Mhlongo.

He added that an ambulance was called and treated Gwala at the scene before transporting him to an undisclosed hospital, where he is under 24-hour police guard,” said Mhlongo.

The pair were recently convicted of the double murder of Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers Sizwe Sithole (48) and Mxolisi Lamula (36), who were gunned down on 30 August 2021 on the N2 in the Nkodibe area in Mtubatuba.

“The pair were en route to Mtuzini High Court for sentencing [at the time of their escape],” said Mhlongo.

Traffic officers’ murder

At the time of their murder, the on-duty Sithole and Lamula were seated inside their marked traffic vehicle, which was parked on the Nkodibe on-ramp, at around 6 pm.

They were shot at close range by Mkhize and his accomplice while still inside their vehicle.

They died instantly in a hail of bullets, their vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

About 15 cartridges from a pistol and an R5 or AK-47 were found at the scene.

Mkhize was arrested in September 2021 with his accomplice.

They were both charged with double murder.

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