KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, has welcomed the sentencing of former Tactical Response Team (TRT) Constable Xolani Benedictus Mbatha for the murder of his girlfriend. Lt Gen Ngobeni applauded the commitment of the investigating officers who ensured that justice is served to the victims.
The Ladysmith Regional Court sentenced Mbatha for the killing of his girlfriend. The sentence was handed down on November 3 after Mbatha was found guilty of murder.
On March 31, 2013, at about midnight, the body of 19-year-old Phumla Motaung was found at her home in Willemse Street, Hyde Park. She had been shot and fatally wounded by her boyfriend, Xolani Mbatha. The accused was stationed at Ladysmith TRT at the time.
It is alleged that the accused also shot at the deceased’s friends, but no one else was injured. When police arrived at the scene, they found the accused to be under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested.
A firearm used in the crime was also found at the scene.
Charges of murder, attempted murder and the handling of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol were levelled at him by Ladysmith police. Mbatha was sentenced to 15 years for murder, three years for attempted murder and 18 months for the firearm charge. The sentences will run concurrently.
Lt Gen Ngobeni was quoted as saying, “We will not accept that people who are expected to protect the citizens of this country break the law themselves. We expect our police officials to be exemplary in their conduct, whether they are on or off duty. This is a clear indication that any police officer who breaks the law will be subjected to the same processes that any other criminal is expected to undergo.”
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