Sabelo Phewa handed double life sentences for murder of municipal manager Sibusiso Sithole
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has sentenced hitman Sabelo Phewa to double life imprisonment for the murder of Sibusiso Sithole, the Municipal Manager of Richmond Local Municipality.
Sithole, a dedicated public servant, tragically lost his life in 2017 outside the Richmond Licensing Office. At the time, he was en-route to a meeting to discuss an investigation into rampant fraud and corruption within the municipality, specifically concerning tenders and kickbacks.
The case was taken over by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Political Killings task team in 2018, leading to Phewa’s eventual arrest. Investigators uncovered a troubling pattern; the firearm seized from Phewa was found to be linked to a series of violent crimes, including the murder of Amos Ngcobo, a victim whose tragic fate was orchestrated by his own wife, who later turned state witness and was sentenced to five years in prison.
In addition to the life sentences for the murders of both Sithole and Ngcobo, Phewa was also sentenced for attempted murder of police officers during his arrest, receiving five years; possession of an unlicensed firearm, totalling 15 years; and unlawful possession of ammunition, which brought in an additional five years.
National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, acknowledging the thorough work of the Political Killings task team in bringing Phewa to justice.
“Well done to the SAPS Political Killings task team for cracking this case and ensuring a lengthy conviction for the hitman. Through this case, we were able to link and solve other cases such as the murder of Amos Ngcobo. The number of life sentences secured by the task team is now more than 30 life sentences secured for several hitmen and hit orderers,” Masemola stated.
“May you continue to provide answers and closure to other families.”
IOL