LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE BROTHERS
The Ezakheni Regional Court has sentenced three brothers: Zenzele Vincent Zwane (29), Mthandeni Zwane (23) and Lindani Zwane (31) to a term of life imprisonment each for the murder they committed in September 2022 in the Emcitsheni area. On the day of the day incident, Zenzele was informed by their sister that the deceased, Simphiwe Innocent Zondo (24) had stolen from their home. She further mentioned that she saw Zondo carrying the stolen goods.
Thereafter Zenzele and his two brothers (Mthandeni and Lindani) went in search of Zondo. They found him and then took him to his house to look for the stolen items. Zondo’s family members were present in the house. When they did not find the stolen goods, the brothers took Zondo back to their home where they beat him with a sjambok and other items. They did this in the presence of their sister. The following day, Zondo was found dead about 200 metres away from the Zwane’s home. The cause of his death was a head injury as well as injuries caused by a sjambok.
The brothers fled the area and were arrested six months later after police traced them. In court, Prosecutor Zandile Nhlapho-Mthembu led the testimony of Zwane’s sister, as well as the testimonies of various members of Zondo’s family. The state relied on circumstantial evidence. In addition, Nhlapho-Mthembu handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Zondo’s family and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Khulekani Professor Mthembu. In their statement, the family said that Zondo was a helpful and caring person who helped his ailing grandmother. The brothers were sentenced to a term of life imprisonment each, and the court declared them unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter, and we commend the work done by the prosecution and the police. Members of the public are discouraged from taking the law into their own hands. They should seek the assistance of law enforcement authorities instead.
