COURT SENTENCES FAMILY MURDERER TO 4 LIFE TERMS AND 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
Breyten, Mpumalanga – The Mpumalanga High Court, sitting in Breyten, has sentenced Siyabonga Richard Sangweni (32) to four life terms and 15 years imprisonment for the brutal murder of four family members in Piet Retief in 2023. The accused was also convicted of attempted murder. On the evening of 15 June 2023, Sangweni took a firearm and fatally shot his 73-year-old grandmother, two brothers, and a niece while also attempting to kill his 22-year-old cousin at their home in Mafret, Piet Retief. The shocking incident prompted immediate police action, leading to Sangweni’s arrest the same day.
During the trial, the accused denied the allegations, claiming he was not present at the time of the incident, asserting that he was in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal Province. However, Senior State Advocate Themba Lusenga presented compelling evidence against him, including testimonies from several eyewitnesses, one of whom was a surviving victim. This witness testified that she found her grandmother and the children inside the house while Sangweni was seen standing outside holding a bag. Eyewitness accounts revealed that he followed her inside and began firing shots at the victims.
The arresting officer provided critical testimony, highlighting his observations at the crime scene and confirming that he found the accused in possession of a firearm. The post-mortem examination determined that all victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds, confirming the lethal nature of Sangweni’s actions.
Advocate Lusenga emphasized the prevalence of violent crimes in South Africa during the sentencing phase, urging the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentences. Victim impact statements compiled by Court Preparation Officer Lindokuhle Sithole depicted the devastating aftermath of the murders for the remaining family members, who expressed their confusion over the motives behind the tragic killings and their ongoing struggle to find closure. The court ultimately sentenced Sangweni to life imprisonment for each count of murder and 15 years for attempted murder, with all sentences set to run concurrently.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence and hopes that the remaining family members will find some measure of closure. The NPA reiterates its commitment to ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions, especially in cases of such heinous violence.
