By Kaya 959 Reporter
Six men, arrested over a shooting at the Nancefield hostel in Soweto in 2019, have been sentenced.
Zipho Mhlungu (27), Sipho Phindaphiwe Bhengu (28), Skhumbuza Shange (27), Phiwayinkosi Mthonti (28) and Bongani Ngubane (21) appeared in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
They faced charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said they each received four life sentences and an additional 79 years.
Cebelihle Ndlovhu (18) received 179 years imprisonment.
ALSO READ: KZN security officer allegedly goes on shooting spree, killing 6, including his 5-year old son
Four killed in shooting
Detective Sergeant Nkosingiphile Piyo Mthenjwa was assigned to investigate the shooting incident that took place on Good Friday in 2019 where 15 suspects stormed the hostel and randomly fired shots.
“The suspects shot and fatally wounded four and injured five victims before they fled the scene. [An] investigation by Mthenjwa revealed that the motive behind the Nancefield hostel shooting was the constant fighting between groups within the hostel between 2018 and 2019,” Muridili said.
She said Mthenjwa meticulously pieced all the available evidence together which led him to trace and arrest six suspects in various locations in Alexandra and Jeppe in Johannesburg as well as in Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal.
“It is through the application of forensic techniques and processes by Mthenjwa that positively linked Mhlungu, Bhengu, Shange, Mthonti, Ngubane and Ndlovhu to the Nancefield hostel shooting; ensuring a water-tight case against them in court,” Muridili said.
The conviction was welcomed by Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela
“The hard work and commitment from Sergeant Mthenjwa in solving the Nancefield hostel shooting is commendable. Professional conduct and dedication by members of the South African Police Service will lead to more successful convictions. I am pleased that these cold-blooded murderers will spend the rest of their lives behind bars,” he said.
ALSO READ: South Africa moves to adjusted alert level 1



