The Mtunzini High Court, sitting in Durban, has sentenced Duduzile Philisiwe Gumbi and Ngcebo Sheperd Khuzwayo, to life imprisonment for the murder they committed in February 2017, in the Gingindlovu area. Khuzwayo was sentenced to a further two years and six months imprisonment, for possession of a firearm without a license. Their co-accused Fisokuhle Mfeka became mentally ill before the start of the trial and was declared a state patient.
Before the incident, Gumbi and the deceased, Zandile Zondo (a traditional healer) had a dispute about land and Gumbi then decided to kill her. She enlisted the services of Khuzwayo, who sought assistance from Mfeka. On the day of the incident, the men armed themselves with a firearm and went to Zondo’s house, under the pretext of seeking a consultation. Once alone with her, Mfeka shot her fatally and the men then fled the area. Gumbi later paid Khuzwayo a sum of money, and they were arrested some weeks later.
In court State Adv. Dan Magwaza, used cellphone evidence, as well as a confession made by Gumbi, to prove the state’s case. Magwaza also handed in a Victim Impact Statement, compiled by Zondo’s daughter, and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Amanda Pretty Nxumalo. In her statement, the daughter said that her mother was a good and kind person, and their family has been torn apart following her death. She also mentioned that since her mother was killed at their homestead, being at home is a constant reminder to them that she is dead, and they cannot move past that. In sentencing them, the court deemed them unfit to possess a firearm. Their application for leave to appeal their conviction and sentence was refused.
The NPA applauds the successful prosecution, and we commend the work done by the Prosecution and Police.
