Publications
- A man convicted of killing a police officer has been handed a life sentence.
- Detective Sergeant Sakhile Nsibande was shot during a police operation in November 2019.
- In a separate matter, a man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of a Gauteng traffic officer.
A man convicted of murdering a police officer has been handed a life sentence in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Mtubatuba.
Phumowakhe Ndwandwe, 24, was sentenced on Monday for the murder of Detective Sergeant Sakhile Nsibande.
Nsibande was shot in the line of duty during a raid at Cinci Reserve in November 2019. The raid was carried out at Ndwandwe's home after he was implicated in house robbery and rape charges.
"When Ndwandwe noticed that he was cornered, he allegedly fired shots through the window and escaped. After that, it was discovered that Nsibande was shot, and he was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival," said Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo.
Ndwandwe was apprehended a month later during a joint operation in the KwaMsane area.
Ndwandwe was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for house robbery, 15 years for rape, and 15 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently, said Mhlongo.
READ | Cape Town cop killer sentenced to life imprisonment
In an unrelated case, a Gauteng man was handed a 30-year sentence on Friday for the murder of traffic officer Kwezi Dali, 54.
Sthembiso Shadrack Ndlazi, 24, was sentenced in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Friday.
In October, two men robbed Dali, who was off duty at the time, at a tavern in Boksburg.
"While in his vehicle in the parking lot, he was confronted by two suspects. They demanded valuables from him, and while searching him, they found a state firearm permit," said Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha.
"The deceased was forced to drive to his residence, where the state firearm was taken. He was reportedly tortured, beaten up and boiling water was poured over him. He succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards."
Ndlazi was arrested shortly after the incident. The second person implicated in the murder allegedly committed suicide before he could be arrested, said Ramovha.
Besides the 30-year sentence for the murder, Ndlazi was also sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for robbery with aggravated circumstances. The sentences will run concurrently.
