THULI Ndlovu, the chairman of Abahlali baseMjondolo in KwaNdengezi, was assassinated in her home on 29 September 2014.
Two ANC councillors from KwaNdengezi, Mduduzi Ngcobo (52) and Velile Lutyeku (57), were accused of hiring a gunman, Mlungisi Ndlovu (31), to kill Thuli.
A state witness revealed that Ngcobo paid Mlungisi R15 000 for the act. The councillors have been on paid suspension since May last year.
It is alleged that the councillors wanted her dead because she was at the forefront of the protests against the selling of RDP houses.
On the evening of 29 September, Thuli was home with his two sons and Siphesihle Madlala, who was there to tutor Thuli’s eldest son.
Mlungisi entered their home while Madlala was in front of the door, inside the house. He entered and pointed a gun at his stomach and shot him at close range.
Thuli ran into the children’s bedroom, where Mlungisi found her with her one-year-old son, and shot her several times in the chest and abdomen.
The three accused appeared in the Durban High Court on Friday, 20 May before Judge JA Ploos van Amstel.
Their lawyers tried to plead for minimum sentences, saying that Ngcobo is a bread-winner and has nine children which he has to look after, and Lutyeku is also a bread-winner and has an adult child to feed.
A group of ANC supporters and the Abahlali clashed outside court, which led to the ANC group leaving.
The councillors were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and the gunman, Mlungisi, was also found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 12 years for attempting to murder Madlala.
Madlala, who was present in court, said, “I’m glad to see justice prevailing. I was very close to the deceased and am a close friend of her son’s.”
Madlala has healed well after an operation.
The Ndlovu family representative, Buhle Ndlovu, said, “We are relieved that the law has played its part and the community will now rest and live in peace.”
