SIBLINGS SENTENCED FOR THE MURDER OF THEIR NEIGHBOUR OVER R100 DEBT
The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, sitting in East London, has sentenced brothers, Lubabalo Lompi Dayimani (27) and Ntembeko Dayimani (23), to an effective 15 years and ten years imprisonment terms, respectively. The siblings were convicted of the murder of their neighbour Phelo Fatuse (28), alongside charges of housebreaking, attempted murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. The crimes took place on 18 March 2023 in the Ezizeni Informal Settlement, Reeston, near East London, sparked by a dispute over a debt of R100 owed by the deceased to the mother of the two brothers.
On the fateful day, the two men went to Fatuse’s home to demand repayment of the debt owed to their mother, who was running a money-lending business. Upon arrival, they forced their way inside and found Fatuse and his girlfriend, Lindelihle Gcaza (32). After the girlfriend explained that they were about to go to town to withdraw the money, Lubabalo drew a knife and stabbed Fatuse. When Gcaza tried to intervene, Lubabalo stabbed her as well. As Fatuse attempted to rise, Lubabalo stabbed him again, before robbing him of his bank cards, ID book, and R70 in cash, which the couple had planned to use for transport. Lubabalo then held a knife to Gcas’s throat, demanding the PIN for the bank cards. Ntembeko, on instruction from his older brother, also stabbed the Fatuse in the leg and took a cell phone and charger.
After the attack, the brothers fled the scene, taking some of the stolen items to their mother. Fatuse succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene. During the trial, the brothers pleaded not guilty. State Advocate Andile Nohiya led the evidence of Gcaza, who witnessed the murder and sustained injuries during the attack, presented the post-mortem report, statements from members of the public, as well as testimonies from emergency medical services and police officers who responded to the scene.
Lubabalo was sentenced to 15 years for murder, three years for housebreaking, 10 years for attempted murder, and 10 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. His sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Ntembeko Dayimani received a ten-year sentence for murder, two years for housebreaking, seven years for attempted murder, and eight years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. His sentences will also run concurrently.
Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, emphasised the significance of the court’s ruling in upholding the justice system’s commitment to holding violent criminals accountable. He noted that crimes involving premeditated violence, particularly those committed during housebreakings, pose a serious threat to community safety. “This sentence sends a strong message that the law will not tolerate acts of brutality motivated by greed or intimidation. We hope it brings some measure of closure to the family of the deceased and serves as a deterrent to others who believe they can take the law into their own hands,” said Mr Madolo.
