Lanseria murderers sentenced to life
FOURWAYS – Bongani Thabani Ndlovu (35) and Jabulani Meli Dlamini (41) were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ockert Ralph in Lanseria in 2018.
Two men were handed life sentences in the Johannesburg High Court on 23 June for the murder of Ockert Ralph on a plot in Lanseria in 2018.
Provincial commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela expressed his gratitude to the police officers of the Organised Crime Unit for the thorough investigation that led to the successful conviction of these murderers.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo, Bongani Thabani Ndlovu (35) and Jabulani Meli Dlamini (41) were sentenced to life behind bars for the murder of Ralph.
Captain Masondo said the two were also found guilty of armed robbery (15 years), possession of an unlicensed firearm (10 years) and possession of ammunition (10 years). These sentences will run concurrently.
On 7 May 2018, Ralph (aged 64 at the time) went to a mall in Fourways where he withdrew a large amount of cash.”He [Ralph] drove to the Lanseria plot not knowing that he was being followed. At the gate, he was accosted by two men who shot at him before robbing him of cash, a cell phone and a wallet,” said Masondo.
“He was certified dead at the scene.”
The docket for the case was assigned to seasoned Warrant Officer Abie Montwedi for further investigation.Masondo added, “In a few months, Warrant Officer Montwedi and his team tracked down the suspects. Ndlovu and Dlamini were arrested in Vereeniging while planning to commit another bank-associated robbery.”
Mawela concluded, “I want to thank the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit and all the members who worked on the case. It is through their efforts and dedicated commitment that these dangerous criminals are permanently behind bars.”
