A hitman who pleaded guilty to killing former KZN member of legislature Zibuse Mlaba was overcome with emotion at the Camperdown Regional Court when he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for the murder. 

The 31-year-old hitman, Nhlanhla Lungelo Hlongwa, broke into tears when the police handcuffed him and walked him out of the courtroom after Magistrate Mthokozisi Mcanyana sentenced him for killing Mlaba.

Mlaba, who was the chief of KwaXimba area and former ANC deputy chairperson in KZN, was shot and killed on October 21, 2021, at Wareing’s Shopping Centre, outside his office.

Hlongwa, arrested in 2024, abandoned bail due to fears for his life.

He confessed to the court that he was present when the plot to kill Mlaba was conceived.

Before his plea could be formally entered by his lawyer, Nhlanhla Mdlalose, State prosecutor advocate Sanele Ntombela informed the court that the State was withdrawing other charges against Hlongwa, including conspiracy to commit murder.

As the minimum sentence for murder was being read, Hlongwa appeared confused and was visibly shaking, raising his hand. He consulted with Mdlalose, leading to a brief adjournment as he became emotional and seemed to struggle with breathing.

Following the adjournment, Hlongwa pleaded guilty, acknowledging that he had entered into a plea bargain with the State, which would exempt him from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

Hlongwa said he had been residing with his late uncle, Mncedisi Gwala, who was identified as one of the people who pulled the trigger.

In October 2021, Gwala, the uncle of Hlongwa, received a call from Fortune Dlamini, who informed him that Mzamo Mlaba wished to meet.

Distrusting both Mzamo and Fortune, Gwala asked Hlongwa to accompany him. Fortune provided R500 for their transport, as they were unemployed, and collected them in Camperdown in an Audi sedan, driving them to Mzamo’s residence.

Upon their arrival, Mzamo inquired about Mnce’s identity. “Gwala responded that it was him. Mzamo asked my name and I introduced myself as Nhlanhla,” he explained. 

Mzamo asked Gwala for help in killing Zibuse. When asked about Zibuse, Mzamo replied that he was “just a normal person”.

“Gwala said it was not easy to determine the price of that killing. Mzamo advised that once Gwala had decided on the price, he had to contact Fortune,” he added. 

Hlongwa testified that he and Gwala were escorted by Fortune to offices next to a butchery, where Fortune identified Zibuse’s workplace. Two days later, Fortune instructed Gwala to go to ‘number nine’ to confirm Zibuse’s residence and provided travel funds.

Hlongwa stated that his uncle then sought help from Khanyisani Dlamini, who subsequently hired Mthobisi Dubazane as a driver.

They tried to locate Zibuse at his offices multiple times but were unsuccessful. Fortune once directed them to a school, but he wasn’t there either. Khanyisani, finding the office closed after a search, remarked: “Ayitholakali lenyamazane (We can’t find our prey).”

Since they were unfamiliar with Zibuse, they resorted to searching for his picture online and had to book a bed and breakfast in Pietermaritzburg.

Gwala, feigning interest in purchasing a site, contacted Zibuse at Fortune’s suggestion. Zibuse then spoke with Khanyisani, instructing him to arrange a meeting for 9am.

On October 21, the day of the appointment, Khanyisani and Gwala fatally shot Zibuse. Hlongwa was present in the getaway car, driven by Dubazane, who had been informed of the plan the night before.

After the killing, the perpetrators fled the crime scene and watched news reports at a B&B, where they discovered Zibuse was a politician.

A few days later, Mzamo arranged a meeting to negotiate the price of the firearms used in the killing. Gwala initially demanded R30,000 for both weapons.

Dubazane’s charges were withdrawn by the State on Friday.

Earlier this year, Fortune pleaded guilty, testifying that Mzamo paid R130,000 for the hit. Mzamo is currently the sole accused in the case and is also accused of killing Gwala.

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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