taxi

Hitman Mzila Mchazeni Simakahle to two life terms imprisonment for two counts of murder on Thursday, 25 November 2021. Photo: Supplied.

Taxi association assassin who said he killed ‘five per assignment’ jailed for life

Hitman Mzila Mchazeni Simakahle – who is already serving a life sentence – was sentenced to double life for the murder of two taxi bosses in 2018.

taxi

Hitman Mzila Mchazeni Simakahle to two life terms imprisonment for two counts of murder on Thursday, 25 November 2021. Photo: Supplied.

The Thohoyandou High Court sentenced hitman Mzila Mchazeni Simakahle to two life terms imprisonment for two counts of murder on Thursday, 25 November. He was also sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

TAXI HITMAN SENTENCED TO DOUBLE LIFE

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the first murder took place in July 2018.

The court heard how Simakahle shot Ndivhudza William Nethononda, a taxi owner, at the gate of his home in Thohoyandou Block F.

A month later, on 9 August 2018, the hitman struck again and killed another taxi owner – Nthambeleni Peter Tshishonga – at a car wash in full view of members of the public. He had two unknown accomplices, according to the NPA.

Mzila was arrested in Protea Glen, Soweto after he shot a deputy taxi association member in Roodepoort, Gauteng. He was then linked to the taxi owner murders.

GUILTY PLEA

According to the NPA, Simakahle pleaded guilty on all four counts and he explained that he was hired by taxi owners to kill people.

“Mzila further said that he was rewarded with money which he used to take care of his partner and their child. He concluded by saying he has killed several people and usually he would kill five per assignment,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.

Simakahle told the court that he was hired to kill Nethononda and Tshishonga because they held executive positions in the Venda to Johannesburg Association. The accused added that he was promised a Quantum Taxi as a reward along with payment.

“In mitigation, the defence, Selaelo Roberto Machethe said that the accused was lured by taxi owners to commit offences because he was unemployed. He further said that the accused takes full responsibility for his actions and he was remorseful,” said the NPA.

The State advocate Nduvheni Mulangaphuma retorted with evidence from the wives of the deceased. The women said they are now suffering with their children because they lost their husbands who were the breadwinners.

They added that they are unemployed with no income. Mulangaphuma said the incidents shocked the entire Vhembe district and argued that Simakahle should be imprisoned for life to deter other potential assassins.

JUDGE SAID TAXI ASSASIN KILLED ‘OUT OF GREED’

Justice Khami Makhafola remarked that Simakahle is a young man that earns a living by killing people and that he kills out of greed and enriches himself with rewards. Makhafolo also said the accused was in a comfort zone as he works with police officials.

“Judge Makhafola further agreed with the state that he is not a rehabilitation candidate, therefore Mzila is sentenced to two life imprisonment for two counts of murder, five years for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years of ammunition,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.

The taxi assassin’s life sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence he is currently serving for a similar offence he committed in Gauteng in 2018 (the murder of the deputy taxi association member).

ALSO READ: