Dramatic scenes played out at the Verulam Regional Court on Thursday morning as convicted killer Siyabonga Sbonelo Mncube told the court that he does not accept the guilty verdict on the four brutal murders that he committed in 2023 in Verulam. 

“There is not even DNA or footage linking me to these offences. What is connecting me from these murder cases? Where is the murder weapon? I’m not going to accept this,” Mncube angrily declared to magistrate Betty Rawheath.

The magistrate had just convicted him on four murders and while acquitting him on a fifth due to a lack of evidence. 

Mncube stabbed to death Rapheal Phethani Ndlovu on March 7, 2023 near the U-Save store in Verulam CBD. On March 18, he stabbed to death a couple Aisha Twaibu and Samuel Yibana while they were sleeping in their home in Verulam. On the following day he stabbed and killed Celumusa Sikhakhane at a tavern in Cottonlands. 

In all the murders, eye-witnesses testified in court that they saw him stab his victims with a knife. During trial Mncube denied stabbing anyone to death and further distanced himself from the crime scenes stating that he had never been to the locations where the crimes were committed. 

Moreover, he denied knowing the State witnesses as they told the court that they knew him. 

“His denial of the crime leaves questions that he should be able to answer. He denied without anything further for the court to look into,” magistrate Rawheath said.  

Mncube was also found guilty of escaping from custody on November 12, 2021 while police were transporting him and other suspects to the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. He was going to be making his first court appearance for the 2021 murder case, which the court acquitted him on. 

He denied escaping from custody stating that he had been arrested for drug possession. He said he was released and he paid a fine. However, magistrate Rawheath said Mncube failed to produce any evidence that he paid fine on the day in question. She said there should be a record to support his claim.

In November 12, police had stopped at  a facility to sort out an issue of handcuffs as they were tight on a suspect and they were unable to unlock them. When that issue was sorted and that suspects were about to go back to the police van, Mncube kicked the door and outran the police. 

“The court is of the view that on the day in question Mncube was in custody and being transported to court. That evidence was not challenged by the accused,” magistrate Rawheath noted. 

Moreover, magistrate Rawheath said she was satisfied that the State, led by prosecutor Musa Myeni, proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Following Mncube’s outburst, magistrate Rawheath explained that he has a right to appeal his conviction—clarifying that the court would proceed with sentencing, after which the process for applying for leave to appeal could begin—Mncube continued to protest for his innocence. Following his outburst, he walked out of the court, visibly frustrated, gesticulating with his hands in the air.

Sentence proceedings are expected to proceed in April. 

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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