The Johannesburg High Court handed down six life sentences to two convicted killers on 12 December.
During sentencing, acting Judge Carla van Veenendal said the two men, Nkosinathi Citizen (Mazinyo) Ngwenya (26) and Nkosinathi Andile Nkomo (30) terrorised the community of Zandspruit and surrounding areas of Honeydew.
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She pointed out that the two men, who are both Zimbabwean nationals, attacked their victims in their own safe spaces. The judge mentioned that the accused invaded the homes of the victims and went as far as attacking them in their bedrooms where they demanded money.
She said that during the attacks, the two killers didn’t hesitate to fire shots in order to scare their victims into submission. Some of the attacks by the two were carried out in taverns.
Van Veenendal told the two men that their actions had ripple effects on the victims. She pointed out how some victims were unable to testify during the trial as they had already relocated to Lesotho.
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The judge said, in this case, a lenient sentence would not serve the interest of the public, adding that the two needed to be removed from society. She also pointed out that the court needed to impose a sentence that will balance rehabilitation with deterrence.
The judge also noted that there was a number of people who died as a result of the actions of the accused. “The attacks were brutal and invasive into the private spaces of the victims,” Van Veenendal said, highlighting that the severity of the crimes committed by the two didn’t warrant deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences. The judge added that the victims suffered trauma.
She said the court noted that the two were part of a gang and that it was not clear if the other members were ever arrested. She pointed out that she hopes the sentence imposed on the two will deter their fellow gang members from committing crimes, should it be that they have not been arrested.
Lieutenant Kay Makhubela from the provincial office of the police, said they welcome the stiff sentence handed down to the two men. Makhubela pointed out that the community of Zandspruit had been living in fear because of the accused persons, who terrorised them for months.
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He added that the hard work by the investigating officer was evident with the heavy sentence and conviction.
According to the top cop, crime around Zandspruit has decreased since the incarceration of the two criminals. He added that police were working hard to make sure that crime in the area remained low.
Breakdown of sentences
- Ngwenya has been sentenced to life imprisonment on four counts of murder (sentenced to four life sentences)
- Nkomo has been sentenced to two life sentences on two counts of murder
- 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances on five counts (5 x 15 years) for both accused
- Ngwenya sentenced to a further 15 years imprisonment on five counts of robbery with aggravating circumstance (5 x 15 years)
- Ngwenya also sentenced to five years imprisonment for attempted murder
- Nkomo sentenced to a further 15 years imprisonment for another count of robbery with aggravating circumstances
- Five years imprisonment for both accused for contravening Section 3 of the Firearms Controls Act 60 of 2000 (unlawful possession of a firearm)
- Three years imprisonment for both accused for unlawful possession of ammunition.
The sentences will run concurrently and both have been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
