LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING WARD COUNCILLOR
The Dundee Regional Court has sentenced Sihle Acute Dlamini (37) to life imprisonment for the murder of Nompumelelo Zondi (45) in 2016 in the Matshematshe area of Pomeroy. Zondi who was a National Freedom Party (NFP) ward councilor in the Nhlanhleni area was shot and killed in her vehicle outside her home in March 2016. Dlamini who fired the shot, fled the scene, and was arrested some time in 2023 after his fingerprints (found on the scene) linked him to the shooting. Upon his arrest Dlamini had made a confession, however, he later denied the confession.
In the state’s case Advocate Elvis Gcweka led the testimonies of 10 witnesses including a fellow party member of Zondi’s, as well as SAPS members who visited the crime scene and took the fingerprints. Adv. Gcweka also led evidence that Zondi was killed due to tensions within the party in that area. In aggravation of sentence, Gcweka led the evidence of one of Zondi’s family members who testified that Zondi was the breadwinner for the entire family. She also paid for the tertiary education for younger family members who have had to drop out of university due to lack of funds, following her death.
In addition to the life sentence Dlamini was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence, and we commend the successful partnership between the Prosecution, the Political killings Task Team in KZN and other stakeholders. We trust that sentences of this nature will deter like-minded individuals.
