By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Five men were sentenced to one life term each collectively by the Pretoria High Court for murder, kidnapping, possession of firearm, possession of ammunition, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted robbery and pointing something like a firearm.
Bongani John Masombuka (37), Sfundo Harrison Nkosi (33), Khumbudzo Solomon Mukhuba (31), Brien Makhubedu (27) and Mashudu Malema (34) received collective sentences of 175 years imprisonment.
The Judge ordered that the sentence be served concurrently with the life sentence.
This was after Judge Masopa convicted the five for the murder of Edwin Dumisani Masilela on 30 July 2021.
According to NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, on 2 August 2017 between 6 pm and 7 pm, Sizwe Nqobile Shabangu parked his car, a Jeep Wrangler on Dungezi Street in Daveyton.
Mahanjana said that upon returning to his car, the five approached him in a Toyota quantum and robbed him of his car. They forced him at the back of the car and took his belongings.
“Masombuka was left driving the quantum while the rest were in the Jeep. They drove and followed each other towards Tembisa.
“At around 20h20 on the same day, in Libombo street, Tembisa, they saw Masilela’s Golf 7 parked. They stopped the Jeep and Mukhuba got out of the car and approached the Golf 7 in an attempt to rob it at gunpoint.
“Masilela, who was driving the car managed to drive off, but Mukhuba fired at the moving car. The bullet hit Dumisani and he later died at the hospital,” said Mahanjana.
Mahanjana said the thugs left the scene with Shabangu still inside the Jeep. When they arrived at kalfontein they tried to remove the tracking system, forced Shabangu to provide them with his pin code for his bank card and withdrew R1000.00. They left him in Ivory park and abandoned the jeep in Ebony Park.
“After investigations, Mukhuba was arrested on 07 August 2017 for possession of unlicensed firearm. After his arrest, the rest flee to Rustenburg.
“While in Rustenburg they committed another robbery of a Ford Ranger. They robbed Monagane and Kgalegi who were in the car of their belongings and money amounting to R1800.00. They tied their hands and feet and left them in a veld in Maile village.
“Masombuka was arrested on 08 August 2017 in Rustenburg while in possession of the Toyota Quantum and a cell phone belonging to Kgalegi. Nkosi handed himself over to the police and was arrested on 15 August 2017. Makhubedu and Malema were later arrested in 2018, months apart in Tembisa.”
The five had been in custody since their arrest in 2017 and 2018.
In giving her Victim Impact Statement testimony, Sabatha Masilela, Dumisani’s mother said the loss of her son affected her family to such an extent that she even lost her job as a teacher.
Sabatha said she could not cope and she is now forced to take care of two Masilela’s siblings as a single parent. However, she thanked the prosecutor and the judge for rekindling her faith in the justice system
The prosecutor, advocate Josie Van Der Westhuysen asked the court to impose the minimum prescribed sentence as the accused failed to show remorse for the crimes they committed.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence and thanked the dedication of Sergeant Mthokozisi Ngwenya and his team for their dedication in investigating this matter.
