The Provincial Head of the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Zodwa Mokoena has welcomed the life imprisonment sentence imposed on Mthobisi Lennox Ngwenyama(30) and Sabelo Sunboi Lubisi(24) by the Nelspruit High Court today for murder, two counts of attempted murder and escaping from lawful custody.
This follows the accused’s reign of terror which started immediately after the two escaped from lawful custody in May 2015.
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After their escape when they were being held for a house robbery case, Lubisi and Ngwenyama shot and wounded a victim and his wife and set alight two of the family’s vehicles before they fled the scene.
Two days later, on the evening of Wednesday, May 20, they proceeded to a house belonging to Constable Joseph Baloyi, shot and killed him as he returned home. Baloyi had been the Investigating officer in their case at the time.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Unit was roped in to investigate after the pair was traced and arrested with the assistance of the Special Taskforce on May 29 at Chabalala village.
Read: Suspects found guilty for escaping from custody
It has further been established that the pair has an outstanding case of rhino poaching of which they are expected to make a court appearance in November 2017.
Ngwenyama was sentenced to an effective life imprisonment for murder, plus 15 years for house robbery and 12 years for attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
Lubisi was sentenced to 9 years direct imprisonment for two counts of attempted murder and malicious damaged to property.
