The older sister of Constable Prudence Masuku burst into tears when speaking at the sentencing proceedings of her brother-in-law, Veli Masuku, and his co-accused, Lawrence Dlamini, in a High Court sitting at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on August 20.
In April, the court found Masuku and Dlamini guilty of murdering the constable of the Daveyton SAPS on June 23, 2022.
They were convicted on five charges – murder, theft, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and defeating the administration of justice.
Nikiwe Maseko, the older sister, told the court how the crime had affected her sister’s children and family. She said her sister’s daughters, aged 15 and eight, are battling to cope with their mother’s death and that the eldest has flashbacks because she was one of the first at the scene on the day of the shooting. The children are undergoing counselling.
Lenient
Masuku asked the judge to be lenient when sentencing him because he is a “responsible” father of seven.
He maintained his innocence, stating he didn’t have a hand in his wife’s death and longs to be released so he can investigate what really happened.
Testifying about his personal circumstances, Masuku told the court that at a young age, he had to look after his four siblings after his mother died when he was in matric.
After failing matric, he had to find a job to support himself and his siblings.
He said his company suffered after his arrest because its production came to a halt.
“My health has never been the same after the assault I endured at the hands of the police. My left arm was fractured, and, as a result, I can no longer lift heavy objects.”
During the mitigation of sentence, Masuku’s new legal representation asked the court to consider the time he had already spent in prison and that Masuku’s children and siblings are still dependent on him.
Dlamini revealed in court that he regretted his involvement in the crime and asked the judge to have mercy on him.
Advocate Mampuru, his attorney, asked the court to consider that his client is the sole breadwinner at home and is a first offender who has proved to the court that he is remorseful.
State Advocate Mashile argued during aggravation of sentence that the court should not deviate from the prescribed sentence for such heinous crimes.
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He said Masuku still didn’t want to take responsibility for his actions and showed no remorse despite the court’s findings, adding that GBV cases have become a pandemic.
“The court has a fundamental duty to send a strong message to other perpetrators of GBVF crimes. It’s the court’s duty to protect and assure society that their rights will be protected by the courts,” said Mashile.
Sentencing will be handed down on August 23.
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