Two men get life sentences for killing police detective in Durban

On Friday, two men were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a police officer in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Verulam Regional Court gave the life sentences to 28-year-old Nkosikhona Luthuli and 42-year-old Kusakwendoda Luthuli after they were found guilty of killing Phoenix detective Sergeant Sibongile Mbanjwa.

Detective shot at while sitting in car

Mbanjwa was killed while sitting with a colleague in a state vehicle on 4 May 2021.

“The accused fired shots towards the state vehicle, fatally wounding Sergeant Mbanjwa. The colleague tried to drive away but the vehicle stopped a few metres away. He fled the scene on foot. Sergeant Mbanjwa was declared dead at the scene,” said police spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo.

A case of murder, attempted murder and robbery was reported at Verulam police station. The case docket was allocated to the Hawks serious organised crime investigation unit in Durban.

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Mhlongo said the accused were arrested two weeks later.

“They appeared in court several times and their bail was successfully opposed until they were convicted.”

Mhlongo said both suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, five years’ imprisonment for attempted murder and five years’ imprisonment for robbery.    

Drug lords blamed for spike in crime in KZN

Meanwhile, a crime-fighting imbizo at KwaNdengezi, Durban on Sunday heard that drug addiction and wars between drug lords are behind most violent crimes and killings in the province.

The provincial community policing forums’ (CPF) Dawood Chirwa said drug lords fight each other for territory and used drug addicts to commit crimes and become hitmen.

“Drug lords know that young people who are addicted to drugs are desperate and would do anything for their next fix; they use that to lure young people to commit crimes on their behalf with the promise of free drugs. They fear nothing; they have nothing to lose,” he said.

ALSO READ: Drug lords blamed for spike in crime in KwaZulu-Natal