Three men accused of murdering a KwaZulu-Natal police officer have been sentenced to life in prison by Pietermaritzburg high court.
Bheko Sibiya, 38, Mdeliseni Mathonsi, 28, and Siphamandla Mathonsi, 32, killed the victim, captain Dumisani Mhlanzi on February 23, 2018.
Captain Dumisani Mhlanzi was from Maphumulo, in the north of the province.
He was killed during a robbery at Maphumulo shopping centre.
The accused robbers fled the scene with lots of cash, cellphones and Mhlanzi’s service pistol.
Police arrested Mdeliseni and Sibiya at KwaMashu men’s hostel after a shoot-out with police in March 2018 which left three of their gang members fatally wounded.
The third was later arrested in June last year. He was found with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
They appeared before the Pietermaritzburg high court where they were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of captain Dumisani Mhlanzi.
According to Capt Simphiwe Mhlongo, Hawks spokesperson, the men were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 30 years’ imprisonment for robbery of two shop staffs, 15 years for robbery of Mhlanzi’s service pistol.
“Siphamandla Mathonsi was further sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Their sentences will run concurrently”.
