The father of the slain Durban Girls Secondary School pupil has expressed gratitude to the police and prosecution after the Durban High Court sentenced her killers to life imprisonment. 

Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo was brutally murdered in their home at Mlazi township, Durban.

Mondli Ngcobo said that although his daughter was not going to come back, he was happy with how the court sentenced Sifundo Bongani Bhengu, 39, and Bongani Freedom Jali, 24.

On May 28, 2024, Bhengu and Jali entered the Ngcobo house to steal a big screen television so that they could sell it to get more drugs, as they were addicts.

They watched Ngcobo and Wandile’s younger sister leave his house in the morning. They both went to the house and stole the TV, robbed Wandile of her cellphone, and took a Puma backpack. The TV was later sold at the Durban CBD. 

Wandile’s body was found gagged and bound with pantyhose.

They were both sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder on Friday.

Ngcobo said State senior prosecutor, Advocate Krishen Shah, and the investigating officer, Sergeant Mndeni Mzila, were dedicated to making sure that justice was served. 

“Not all police officers are corrupt. Sgt Mzila dedicated himself to this case. We wanted closure, and we got it,” he said. 

However, he said it was disappointing that Bhengu and Jali did not get charged for allegedly raping his daughter before killing her.

He alleged that when Sgt Mzila started investigating the case, it was too late, as they had buried Wandile.

He added that Wandile’s body became stale while at a mortuary, so doctors could not determine whether she was indeed raped. 

“I think I have to accept this and let it go,” he said.

Additionally, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in KZN, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the conviction underscores their commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime and their families. 

After the sentencing, Legal Aid advocate Phumelele Daniso told the High Court that Jali had instructed him to appeal the sentence, as he felt that the life imprisonment was too harsh.

Daniso stated that his client was present in the planning of stealing, which was hatched and executed up until the items were sold. 

“Jali’s participation did not go to the extent that he inflicted the wound. The misdirection of the court here is that it had to look at the participation of each accused,” Daniso explained. 

He said the court convicted both Bhengu and Jali on a common purpose, adding that another court would not sentence Jali any differently. 

Judge Garth Harrison said to deviate, one must find substantial and compelling circumstances.

He asked Daniso if the compelling circumstance was that Jali did not stab Wandile.

Daniso said yes. 

However, Judge Harrison said the issues that Daniso relied on were dealt with in the sentence. 

“I considered these and I rejected them. Leave to appeal is refused,” Judge Harrison said. 

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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