33-year-old Hlakaniphani Miya received a hefty sentence on Thursday (February 15) in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for the killing of a Tactical Response Team (TRT) officer.
The TRT officer Sithembiso Sifiso Yende (38) was shot and killed on March 8, 2014.
The judge sentenced Miya to 22 years’ imprisonment for murder, 10 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and five years for the kidnapping of Yende’s neighbours.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Read also: TRT officer shot dead in Ezakheni
Constable Yende from Ezakheni reacted to cries for help from his neighbours after they were attacked by three gun-wielding robbers.
He went to their aid and was confronted by the gun-toting robbers, who were shooting indiscriminately.
In self-defence, he shot one of the suspects, later identified as Miya, but was overwhelmed by the suspects.
The suspects fled with his service pistol and Yende later succumbed to the injuries he sustained at the scene.
The Hawks took over the investigation and a manhunt ensued. Feeling the heat, the three suspects soon handed themselves over to police.
Nkosiyakhe Mabaso (33), Thando Mabaso (31) and Miya were charged accordingly and appeared in court, where they were granted bail.
While out on bail, the two Mabaso’s were fatally shot by a taxi rival in the Ezakheni area.
The Acting National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata, has welcomed the sentence. She thanked the Hawks officers and all other stakeholders who worked behind the scenes, as this result would not have been possible without their contributions.
“We understand very clearly that the sentencing will never bring back Constable Yende or take away the family’s hurt, but our justice system has made sure that Miya will pay for his sins on this earth,” she said.
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