Two men sentenced to life for murdering father during family robbery
Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Muzafalo Kamyuka after they robbed him and his family, forced them into the back seat of his car, and later shot him in the head at Elukwatini, Eersterhoek District, in 2022.
The duo, Themba Calysters Nkosi, 48, and Siyabonga Maseko, 30, were each sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, seven years’ imprisonment each for the attempted murder, and 15 years’ imprisonment each for robbery with aggravating circumstances by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court this week.
Additionally, the sentences for robbery and attempted murder were ordered to run concurrently.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) regional spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa, on the evening of February 22, 2022, the duo, together with an unidentified accomplice, accosted Kamyuka while he was in his vehicle with his wife and their five-year-old child as they arrived at their home.
“Armed with firearms, the duo robbed the victims of their valuables, including cellphones, and forced the family into the back seat of their vehicle. They drove to a secluded area outside the village, ordered them out, and as the victims fled, they opened fire, shooting Kamyuka in the head,” Nyuswa explained.
She said the duo pleaded not guilty, but senior State prosecutor Advocate Thulani Msibi led compelling evidence from several witnesses, including Kamyuka’s wife.
She said a post-mortem report confirmed Kamyuka died from a penetrating gunshot wound to the head.
During the aggravation of sentence, Msibi told the court that the duo displayed no remorse.
He described Kamyuka’s killing as cruel, gruesome, senseless, and inhumane.
Handing down its ruling, the High Court warned that leniency in such cases could erode public confidence in the justice system and fuel vigilantism, posing a serious threat to constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
Additionally, the court found no compelling reasons to deviate from the minimum sentence and declared the duo unfit to possess any firearm. It also dismissed their leave to appeal against the conviction and sentence.
“The NPA welcomes the sentencing, which reflects our commitment to securing justice for victims and ensuring public safety. This case highlights the dedicated efforts of law enforcement and prosecutorial teams in holding violent offenders accountable,” Nyuswa said.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za