Five men from the Hibberdene area were recently sentenced in the Durban High Court, for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery.
According to Port Shepstone police spokesperson, Captain Petros Mpinge, the five men were suspected of these crimes which occurred in Hibberdene in January 2017.
Mpinge said on the night of January 28, 2017, a group of unknown men stormed into a tavern in Mathuluini area Hibberdene, and opened fire killing one person and injuring another.
He said they fled with cash, alcohol, and a cellphone.
The men were identified as Nhlanhla Maluleka, Mbongeni Shinga, Phakamani Sphamandla Ncube, Sifiso Gwala, and Nhlakanipho Maradona Nene.
Mpinge said Hibberdene police responded to the incident and immediate follow-up was done as one of the suspects injured his accomplice in the shooting.
“Two suspects were arrested the same day at a local clinic where he was receiving treatment for his gunshot wound. A prompt investigation led to the arrest of the other three suspects. The five accused, who all hail from Hibberdene, have been in police custody throughout their trial and have made a number of court appearances. Maluleka (24) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 18 years for murder, eight years, and a further five years for two counts of attempted murder,” said Mpinge.
He added that Shinga (31) was sentenced to ten years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 22 years for murder, and eight years for attempted murder.
Mpinge said Ncube (28), Gwala (26), and Nene (27) were each sentenced to ten years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 22 years for murder, eight years, and a further five years for attempted murder, saying that the sentences are to run concurrently.
“Some of the accused have been linked to other cases and are still appearing in court for these cases. The investigating officer in the case was Detective Constable Mlungisi Maphumulo of Hibberdene Detective Services,” said Mpinge.
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