Five men have each received eight life sentences and 15 years imprisonment for the murders which occurred at the Glebelands Men’s Hostel in Umlazi in 2023. 

The convicts – namely Bongile Mabele, Siyathemba Mthwana, Nkosayikhethi Njeya, Bongani Mboyiyana, and Sibusiso Mkhonde – were sentenced at the Durban High Court this week. 

They were each convicted on eight counts of murder, joint possession of a prohibited firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

On the fateful night of June 3, 2023, the deceased – Phakamani Lukhozi, Thamsanqa Shongwe, Mpilo Khumalo, Bongani Mkane, Lungani Sikhobi, Yandisa Msungubali, Nkululeko Lukhozi, and Mxolisi Mthethwa – were shot and killed while they were socialising at a hostel residence. 

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, confirmed that the accused and deceased all resided at the hostel.

Ramkisson-Kara said: “The accused were friends with each other, and all the deceased were known to each other. Mabele was the block chairperson for some of the blocks at the hostel, and he oversaw the daily operations and allocation of accommodation for those blocks. Sometimes, his co-accused assisted him in executing his duties.

“Phakamani Lukhozi (Phakamani) oversaw the daily operations and accommodation of some other blocks at the hostel. These blocks were not controlled by Mabele. Mabele was not on good terms with Phakamani because he (Phakamani) refused to relinquish control of his blocks and submit to Mabele’s leadership. Mabele then decided to kill Phakamani. Together with his co-accused, they planned to shoot and kill Phakamani and his friends,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

Phakamani and his friends were accosted during the early hours of the morning while in a room at the hostel. 

“The accused armed themselves with firearms and proceeded to the room. Some of them kept guard at the hostel gate, some stayed outside the room, and others went into the room where they began shooting at the occupants. The eight men were fatally wounded and died at the scene. The post-mortem results indicated multiple gunshot wounds.”

In court, Advocate Rakesh Singh led the evidence of a Section 204 witness. The State also handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by two men who were present on the day of the incident.

“In his statement, the man said that he had been left traumatised from seeing so many dead bodies lying all around him. He said that he had come to Durban in search of a better life but has since left the province. The other said that the incident has brought him pain and misery,” said Ramkisson-Kara. 

She said the NPA welcomed the successful conviction and sentencing. 

“The accused in this matter carried out the offences callously and brutally, displaying no regard for the lives of others. We hope that the sentences imposed here serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals.”

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

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