Two men sentenced to 28 years for murder of KZN police officer
Five years after two men killed a KwaZulu-Natal officer, they have been handed lengthy jail terms.
This week, the Ntuzuma Regional Court sentenced Thembokwakhe Xulu,27, and Nkululeko Ntuli,29, for the murder of Warrant Officer Maqhawe Sithole.
Sithole was gunned down in the Amatikwe area of Inanda in June 2021.
The duo was convicted of multiple charges, including murder, theft of a state firearm, and possession of unlicensed firearms.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) said Sithole was playing snooker with a friend at a local tuck-shop when he stepped outside to meet his partner.
Hawks’ spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, said that when the partner left, he then had a heated argument that started when Sithole saw the two men causing a commotion in front of the wife’s car, and he then tried to confront them.
Xulu was then slapped by Sithole. Xulu then fired several shots at the officer and robbed him of his service pistol.
“He was taken to the hospital for medical attention, and he succumbed to his injuries two days later”, says Mhlongo.
A murder case was opened at Inanda police station, and on June 29, 2021, members of the Durban Serious Organized Crime Investigation and Durban Public Order Police arrested the first accused, Xulu.
With a continuous investigation, police arrested the second accused, Nkululeko Ntuli, for being found in possession of two unlicensed firearms, one of which was identified as Sithole’s stolen service pistol, while the other was confirmed as the murder weapon.
“The accused appeared in court, and their bail was successfully opposed. They were remanded in custody until they were found guilty on July 25, 2025. Xulu was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for murder.”
Xulu received 13 years’ imprisonment for murder. Ntuli was sentenced to 13 years for murder, 5 years for theft of a state firearm, and two separate 13-year sentences for possession of unlicensed firearms.
Therefore, sixteen years of his sentence will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 28 years behind bars.
KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Lesetja Senona, welcomed the outcome and praised the investigating officers for their dedication.
IOL NEWS