Hefty sentences for the murder of a police officer and a state witness
Three men accused of murdering an off-duty cop and state witness received a lengthy sentencing
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Three men convicted for the brutal murder of an off-duty police officer and the killing of a state witness will spend lengthy periods behind bars following sentencing in the Western Cape High Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Monday welcomed the hefty prison sentences handed down to Luzuko Yalezo, Mzukisi Ntetha and Athenkosi Kolanisi for crimes linked to the 2021 murder of off-duty Wynberg police officer Sakhumzi Mbucela and state witness Sibongiseni Yanta.
Yalezo, 40, received an effective 28 years’ direct imprisonment after being convicted on two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, firearm-related offences and ammunition charges.
Although the court imposed a cumulative sentence of 111 years, portions of the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
His co-accused, Ntetha, 34, and Kolanisi, 32, were both convicted of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Ntetha was sentenced to 25 years for murder and 15 years for robbery, while Kolanisi received 20 years for murder and 15 years for robbery.
Their sentences will also run concurrently. All three men were declared unfit to possess firearms.
According to court proceedings, the crimes stemmed from a planned hijacking in Gugulethu during August 2021 after Yalezo was allegedly approached by Siphelele Botya to source a stolen or hijacked bakkie for R20,000.
The accused later spotted Mbucela seated inside a bakkie in NY5, Gugulethu, before targeting him in Gawulethetha Street in KTC.
During the confrontation, Ntetha allegedly stabbed Mbucela in the chest after believing he was resisting. The group then dragged him from the vehicle and fled with the bakkie.
The court further heard that the accused later stole cash, bank cards, cellular phones, police handcuffs and sunglasses from the vehicle before abandoning it near Samora Machel.
Yalezo also admitted to involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Yanta, who had allegedly provided police with information regarding the group’s criminal activities.
Yanta was abducted in Nyanga in November 2021 and taken to a secluded area near Browns Farm where he was fatally shot after allegedly attempting to flee.
During sentencing proceedings, Senior State Advocate Meagen September-Qatana argued that Mbucela was defenceless and simply carrying out his parental responsibilities when he was attacked in broad daylight in a busy residential area.
She told the court the crimes showed a complete disregard for human life and public safety.
Acting Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Adrian Mopp, praised the extensive investigative work carried out by prosecutors and Hawks investigators, including travelling across the Eastern Cape to trace and consult witnesses.