Buthelezi was 36 years old at the time of his death.
Communications official at Vosloorus Police Station Capt Piet Rossouw told Kathous MAIL what happened on July 29, 2015.
“Nine suspects approached the staff at Cash Crusaders at Chris Hani Mall and pointed firearms at them. The suspects also ordered the staff to open the safe and took an undisclosed amount of money,” said Rossouw.
He said the suspects also took laptops and cellphones from the shelves.
“When they were about to leave the shop, they came across a patrol vehicle from Vosloorus SAPS.
“They fired shots at the officers in the vehicle.
“Cst Mthembu was hit and died on the scene,” said Rossouw.
He said the cases of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm were opened at Vosloorus SAPS and had been under investigation ever since.
“The investigation was done by Gauteng ATM Task Team. Later, two of the nine suspects were arrested last year 2016,” said Rossouw.
The accused, Mphiliseni Ndawonde and Nkululeko Ndebele, were sentenced as follows:
- Count 1 – armed robbery – 15 years’ imprisonment each
- Count 2 – murder – life imprisonment each
- Count 3 – possession of unlicensed firearm – 10 years’ imprisonment each
- Count 4 – possession of ammunition – five years’ imprisonment each.
The sentences will run concurrently.
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