THE killers of former South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) District Manager Thembinkosi Dlamini (36) appeared at the Mtunzini High Court where they were each convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Richard Nhleke (33), Smanga Madonsela (30), Mduduzi Linda (29), Jabulile Mthethwa (56), Thandiwe Sikhosana (44) and Phumzile Shange (58) were found guilty for murder and sentenced to life with an additional six years for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
On 11 June 2008 a group of armed men charged into Dlamini’s SASSA Welfare office at Ngwelezane where he was shot and killed instantly. The men fled leaving six cartridges of a 9mm pistol on the scene.
Empangeni SAPS upon arrival opened a case of murder which was later taken over by the Durban Organised Crime Unit, who gathered evidence which subsequently led to the arrest of the accused.
According to police statements Dlamini had been conducting an internal investigation within the department following suspicions of alleged fraud and corruption.
