A total of 80 years’ imprisonment, and two life sentences have been handed down to two Thabong men in the Welkom High Court.
Lt Gen. Baile Motswenyane, provincial commissioner of the Free State, applauded the investigator, WO Gerrie Nel of the Thabong Serious and Violent Crimes unit, for the thorough investigation which led to this heavy sentence. “This will send a clear-cut message that crime does not pay,” said Motswenyane.
The two accused, Ndumiso Mfene (42) and Ayabonga Dlokweni (40), were heavily sentenced on 24 May by the Welkom High Court for two Thabong cases and an Ennerdale case, which included possession of stolen vehicles
The court heard that on 29 August 2019 shots were fired at Matias Sithole and he was robbed of his vehicle upon his arrival home in Thabong. He was certified dead at the scene.
On 12 September 2019 one of the suspects, Mfene, was found in possession of a stolen vehicle in Pinetown and was linked to the Thabong incident. He was arrested.
The investigation then led to another suspect, Dlokweni, who was arrested on the 8 October 2019 at Thabong for driving a stolen vehicle. An R5 rifle, magazine and live ammunition were found inside the vehicle and was confiscated.
The duo were found guilty as charged.
Ndumiso Mfene was sentenced to a 20 years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery, in addition to life imprisonment for the murder of Sithole.
Dlokweni was sentenced to 15 years for aggravated robbery, five years for being in possession of a stolen vehicle, 25 years for being in possession of an R5 rifle, 15 years for the possession of ammunition, and a life sentence for the murder of Sithole.
