25 year sentence for EWC murder perpetrator

Katlehong North SAPS successfully concluded the Ekurhuleni West College murder that sparked division between the police station, students, and the angry community members of Katlehong on November 12, 2021.

This follows the Johannesburg High Court convicting and sentencing a former EWC student, Ntsikelelo Saki (29), to 25 years of direct imprisonment for the premeditated murder of Mbali Hlongwane on August 18.

The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm and a knife.

Saki and the late Hlongwane were classmates studying information technology at EWC. He brutally stabbed the Hlongwane outside the campus before she passed away en route to the hospital.

Saki fled from law enforcement after committing the crime on October 21, 2021.

His online presence on Facebook brewed anger among concerned residents and students, which led to a protest at Katlehong North SAPS.

According to the Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, the arguments between the Saki and Hlongwane started over a WhatsApp text.

She said Saki arrived on campus and waited outside the gate for the Hlongwane. One student who saw Saki asked him why he was wearing a jacket in such hot weather.

Saki was also clutching a knife and stated he was waiting for Hlongwane. He wanted to ‘take her soul’.

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“Fellow students warned Hlongwane of what Saki intended to do to her. She left the campus premises and met with Saki, where they had a conversation. When she turned her back to leave, Saki stabbed her twice, and when she turned to face him, he stabbed her again two times in her chest,” she said.

Mjonondwane stated the court deviated from the stipulated minimum sentence of life imprisonment because of considered facts of provocation.

“In arguing for a firm sentence, State advocate Siyabonga Futshana argued that South Africa abhors the scourge of murder, male dominance, and perverse abuse of power by men and violence against women.

“The punishment the court should implement must reflect the shock and indignation, also serve as retribution for the crime, and ought to deter others from similar conduct,” she added.

Mjonondwane said the NPA applauded Futshana and the investigating officer (IO) Constable Tshepo Motaung for ensuring that Saki faced the full might of the law for the crime he committed.

“Motaung made strides to conclude the case, having deprived himself of sleep frequently since taking over the case. He was the second IO to work on the case after the deceased’s father, Vusi Maduna, requested the first IO to be replaced due to lack of progress on the case.”

“I feel relieved. This case has taught me a lot and broadened my investigative skills,” said Motaung.

He arrested Saki on November 4, 2022, at Montaque Gardens, Western Cape.

“At the time of his arrest, Saki was at his workplace performing his normal duties. His arrest surprised Saki because he never thought he was going to be caught.”

His first appearance was on November 7, 2022. He did not get bail because he is a flight risk, because he was arrested over a year after the commission of the crime. He pleaded not guilty in court.

Investigation challenges

Motaung said as SAPS they welcome the sentence and are glad that justice has been served.

ALSO READ: ECW student Mbali’s murderer is still at large

“We also managed to rebuild trust with the victim’s family and the public. However, it did not come easy as I had to travel to the Western Cape three times while tracing Saki.”

He said he felt a lot of pressure from the family, which he took as positive pressure.

“One must understand that working on a case that is already in the media, while the family of the victim is fighting for justice and are already losing faith in the police, was difficult,” he said.

Although he did not know where to trace the suspect, the family was also helping him with every little information.

“I had a duty to timeously provide feedback reports about the progress to the family. That helped me to rebuild the family’s trust in the police. The pressure helped me and enabled me to use other useful resources within the SAPS.”

With support from his colleague Warrant Officer Mkhulu Robert Twala, the suspect was eventually located over 1 000km away.

ALSO READ: Katlehong family fights for justice for its late daughter