Cop killers convicted
Sergeant Mbele was killed on the roadside while he waited for help after a vehicle breakdown
Sergeant Mzamiseni Mbele, a police officer in the Msinga area of Weenen, was attacked and killed in April last year when he stopped on the R74 after a vehicle breakdown.
His killers, Sboniso Linda (36) and Nkanyiso Mungwe (25), were convicted and sentenced in the Madadeni High Court on Friday (December 2).
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, the deceased 39-year-old police officer was on his way home when the attack took place.
“He had a vehicle breakdown along the R74 in Weenen. He informed his wife about the incident and whilst awaiting assistance, the accused approached him with pretence to ‘help’. Linda and Mungwe, instead of assisting, surprise attacked Mbele. They robbed him of his belongings and fled the scene,” Captain Mhlongo elaborated.
A farm worker discovered Sergeant Mbele’s body the next day and a case of murder was opened at the Weenen police station.
The docket was allocated to the Hawks members from Pietermaritzburg Serious Organised Crime Investigation.
“The accused were arrested and charged with murder. Their bail was successfully opposed and they appeared in court several times until they were found guilty,” said Captain Mhlongo.
Linda was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for murder and 10 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances of which half of the sentence will run concurrently.
Linda will serve 25 years direct imprisonment.
Mungwe was sentenced to five years imprisonment for attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances.
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