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Siyabonga Mbobo: Four accused found guilty of politically-motivated murder

Four suspects accused of killing 50-year-old Siyabonga Mbobo in 2016 were given life sentences this week.

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In the strides to curb political infighting amongst communities, four suspects were convicted by the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday, 17 February 2021 following a lengthy trial.

The four accused were on trial for the murder of an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member, the 50-year-old Siyabonga Mbobo who was shot and killed in 2016 when a fight broke out at a local community.

Life imprisonment

The convicted murderers, Zwelandile Gutyana (28), Aphelele Mcobothi (23), Siyabonga Ntsethe (33) and Mthethiswa Ntsazana (44) were arrested on 16 September 2016 following a Hawks’ Serious Organized Crime Investigation.

It was revealed at the time that African National Congress (ANC) and EFF members were involved in a fight around the Clermont area, Pinetown. The four suspects appeared in the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court at the time.

The matter was later transferred to the Durban Regional Court for trial. The quarrel which occurred on the fateful night of February 2016 at the local community hall resulted in Mbobo being shot and killed.

Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase confirmed on 20 February 2021 that the court found the foursome guilty of murder earlier this week. They were each sentenced to life imprisonment.

Tshegofatso Pule court case update

In other news, Tshegofatso Pule’s boyfriend was arrested and the accused, Muzikayise Malephane, pleaded guilty to four charges in relation to her murder on Friday 19 February 2021.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the accused entered into a Plea and Sentence Agreement with the State in accordance with Sec 105 (A)(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA). As per the NPA:

“Malephane pointed out that the boyfriend of the deceased, who cannot be named at this point, as the one who allegedly contracted him to commit the murder. […] The boyfriend has been arrested and is currently in police custody”.

Malephane agreed to turn state witness and testify against Pule’s boyfriend, who is currently in police custody. The boyfriend allegedly didn’t want his wife to find out that Pule was pregant.