The family of murdered police officer Constable Prudence Masuku welcomed the sentencing of Veli Masuku and his co-accused, Lawrence Dlamini.
Masuku and Dlamini were each sentenced to life imprisonment plus 23 years at a high court sitting in Benoni Magistrate’s Court on August 23.
On the count of murder, the two each received one life term, 10 years for theft, eight years for the two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and five years for defeating the ends of justice.
Prudence was shot and killed in Putfontein on her way to work at Daveyton SAPS on June 23, 2022. Her husband, Veli accompanied her.
She was seven months pregnant when the murder occurred.
Initially, Veli alleged men in two taxis confronted him and Prudence on Durant Road, Mokgoba Village, and that the passengers of both taxis allegedly approached them and fired several shots at Prudence while he ran for cover. He said when he returned to their vehicle he noticed his wife’s service firearm was missing.
Members of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Ekurhuleni Crime Intelligence and the JMPD arrested Dlamini in July after swiftly reacting to information about a suspect demanding cash for murdering the police officer from a ‘middleman’.
It was revealed in court that Dlamini had Prudence’s firearm a day before the murder, and ballistic evidence proved her firearm was used to murder her.
It was further revealed that the two men shot Prudence and Veli gave the firearm to Dlamini after the shooting, while Veli stayed on the scene.
Prudence’s older sister, Nikiwe Maseko, accompanied by community members of Mokgoba, Putfontein said they are relieved that justice has been served.
“Although the sentence will not bring her back, we are satisfied with the court’s judgement,” said Maseko.
Sentencing
During sentencing, Judge Rasigamani Bhika said Veli was cold-hearted because he knew his wife was pregnant with his child, yet he cruelly sacrificed the life of his unborn child in the quest to get rid of his wife. Bhika said Dlamini murdered the deceased for money.
She said Veli contracted Dlamini to murder Prudence.
“The person she trusted the most killed her in the most brutal manner. She experienced the deepest betrayal, shock and horror in her last moments.”
Bhika said the plan was set in motion months before the day of the murder.
“The Veli stole Prudence’s service firearm and ammunition to make her defenceless. On the day, he waited for Prudence to walk away from home and mercilessly shot her. He then gave false information to the police while Dlamini took the firearm from the scene. He had enough time to consider their actions.”
Bhika said there was not enough evidence to prove Dlamini knew about Prudence’s pregnancy. However, Veli knew she was pregnant with their second child, but murdered her.
“Not only did Prudence lose her life but also the unborn child. Veli’s six-year-old child with Prudence is now left without both her parents.
“The scourge of violence against women in South Africa cannot be over-emphasised,” said Bhika.
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