THE SAPS has welcomed the sentencing of Vukani Hadebe (31) for the murder of Constable Velenkosini Promising Mbanjwa (39), who was fatally wounded on 11 March while tracking robbery suspects.
The Mtubatuba High Court found Hadebe guilty of murder and sentenced him to life in prison, and 15 years for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The sentencing arises from a case reported on 7 March when an employee of a Melmoth service station was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash at gunpoint.
Members of Gingindlovu SAPS, together with Melmoth detectives, embarked on an operation in the Gingindlovu area searching for the two suspects.
The members went to Mahubhu Reserve and arrested a 30-year-old suspect at his home.
They then proceeded to another house to search for the second suspect.
While approaching the house, the suspect opened fire on the police officers, killing Constable Mbanjwa.
The suspect was arrested and a Norinco 9mm pistol with 52 rounds of ammunition was seized by the police.
