Trio sentenced for killing Wynberg SAPS officer and State witness
Three suspects have been sentenced for the murder of an off-duty Wynberg SAPS officer and a State witness.
Image: File
THREE suspects involved in a hijacking that led to the murder of off-duty Wynberg police officer Sakhumzi Mbucela and a State witness have been sentenced in the Western Cape High Court.
Luzuko Yalezo, 40, has been sentenced to an effective 28 years direct imprisonment, while his co-accused 34-year-old Mzukisi Ntetha and 32-year-old Athenkosi Kolanisi were sentenced to 25 and 20 years respectively.
The events that led to the murders started in August 2021 when a Siphelele Botya allegedly contacted Yalezo requesting a stolen or hijacked bakkie and offered R20 000 for it.
On August 12, Yalezo drove around Gugulethu looking for a suitable vehicle and spotted a bakkie in NY5, Gugulethu.
They decided to hijack it in Gawulethetha Street, KTC, Gugulethu, where Mbucela was seated inside.
Yalezo and Kolanisi approached from the driver’s side and ordered Mbucela to exit the vehicle, but he was unable to do so because a lamp pole blocked the door.
Ntetha entered through the passenger side and ordered the officer to get out.
During the confrontation, Ntetha stabbed Mbucela in the chest after believing he was resisting.
Yalezo then contacted Botya, who instructed him to leave the vehicle near the railway line in Samora Machel.
Yalezo confessed that he was informed that Sibongiseni Yanta was a State witness in the Mbucela murder and robbery case and had allegedly provided police with information.
The accused decided Yanta had to be "eliminated".
On November 23, 2021, Yalezo claimed he received information that Yanta was at a house in Nyanga.
He and four others went there intending to kidnap and confront him.
Armed with a firearm, Yalezo entered the house, dragged Yanta outside, forced him into a vehicle, and drove to a secluded area near the railway line in Browns Farm.
There, Yanta attempted to flee and was fatally shot by one of the kidnappers.
"During sentencing proceedings, Adv Meagen September-Qatana argued that the murder of Mbucela had devastating consequences for his family, community, and the administration of justice. She emphasised that Mbucela was defenceless and innocently carrying out his parental responsibilities at the time of the attack. The offence occurred in broad daylight in a busy residential area, demonstrating the accused’s complete disregard for human life, property, and the safety of the community," said the National Prosecuting Authority.
Yalezo was sentenced on two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, pointing of a firearm, kidnapping, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and two counts of illegal possession of ammunition.
Although the court imposed a cumulative sentence of 111 years’ direct imprisonment, it ordered portions of the sentences to run concurrently.
Ntetha and Kolanisi were each sentenced for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.