Taxi owner, Samukelo Dumisa (37) was handed a double life sentence, plus 25 years, for crimes committed in Port Durnford in November 2023.

The ruling, handed down by eSikhawini Regional Court, was for kidnapping, robbery, murder and attempted murder related to an ongoing feud.

The victims were Sandiso Magwaza and Haimpondo Xulu, a distant relative of Dumisa’s – both of whom were involved in the taxi industry.

Brutal attack

The day before the incident, Xulu and Magwaza were running a taxi when Dumisa and two accomplices boarded, pretending to be passengers.

When alone with Xulu and Magwaza, the trio accosted Xulu about family issues, before they proceeded to steal their cellphones, valued at around R8 000, at gunpoint.

Dumisa took control of the taxi and drove to the beach at Port Dunford where they forced Xulu and Magwaza to kneel on the ground.

Dumisa shot at Xulu, however the firearm didn’t go off. He took another firearm from an accomplice, but the second attempt also failed.

Turning to Magwaza, Dumisa shot and killed him, before stabbing Xulu multiple times and strangling him with a rope, causing him to lose consciousness.

Xulu regained consciousness the following day, but fearing for his life, stayed in the nearby bushes for two nights.

Magwaza’s body was found the next day and Dumisa was arrested after police acted on information received.

Court proceedings

Prosecutor Kamogelo Nkwatle led Xulu’s evidence as well as that of the person who discovered Magwaza’s body, and the SAPS officer who attended the scene.

In his Victim Impact Statement, Xulu informed the court that he had been psychologically and emotionally traumatised by the incident. He said he could not resume work as a taxi owner and driver, forcing him to hire another driver.

Magwaza’s mother said that her son was her pillar of strength, and her family is deeply traumatised by his senseless killing.

Dumisa was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and attempted murder, five years imprisonment for each of the two counts of kidnapping, and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

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