In a significant victory for the Ivory Park community, the South Gauteng High Court handed down a 27-year prison sentence to Mlungisi ‘Bronkor’ Tana, a criminal convicted of murder and robbery.
The ruling brought a sense of justice and relief to the community, who had lived in fear because of Tana’s actions.
Tana (37) was found guilty last month for the fatal stabbing of Thabo Mziyane (26) in September 2021 and a separate robbery where he stabbed and injured another victim.
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The court handed down a sentence of 27 years, with 12 years for the murder charge and 15 years for the robbery.
According to the SAPS Ekurhuleni District communication officer, Captain Nelda Sekgobela, Tana and Mziyane had a brief altercation during which Tana felt disrespected and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Tragically, this led to Mziyane being stabbed twice, resulting in his death shortly after being admitted to the hospital.
Initially, Tana was arrested for the robbery, but further investigation linked him to the murder as well.
The conviction and sentencing of Tana provided some closure for the family of the late Mziyane.
During the trial, it was evident that Tana showed no remorse for his actions. He even badmouthed witnesses, accusing them of being involved in illegal activities.
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Additionally, Tana was serving a suspended sentence from a conviction in 2017, further highlighting his disregard for the law.
Judge William Karma took these factors into account when delivering the sentence.
He emphasised Tana’s lack of remorse and his previous criminal history as aggravating factors.
The lengthy prison term reflects the severity of the crimes and is a stern warning to other criminals in the Ivory Park community.
Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo, the station commander of the Ivory Park SAPS, expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision.“This sentence not only brings closure to the family of Thabo Mziyane but also sends a clear message to dangerous criminals that the full weight of the law will hold them accountable for their actions,” he said.
Ngcobo also commended Detective Sergeant Moss Moukangwe for his diligent investigation and support for the affected families.