KWAZULU-NATAL: Five people, including two former police officers, have been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by the Pinetown Regional Court for corruption related to a 2018 political murder case.
The convicted are Bonginkosi Anthony Dlamini, Sibongile Regina Khumalo, Felokwakhe Ndlovu, Khephu Ndlovu and Lindokuhle Mbonambi. Dlamini and Khephu Ndlovu were serving police officers when the offences were committed, with Dlamini attached to the SAPS Political Killings Task Team. Khumalo is married to Felokwakhe Ndlovu, whilst Mbonambi is their son.
The case arose from the murder of Lawrence Nxumalo, who was chairperson of the Community Policing Forum and the ANC in the KwaNdengezi area. Evidence before the court established that Felokwakhe Ndlovu, an Induna in KwaNdengezi, was allegedly involved in the illegal sale of land. Nxumalo opposed these activities and made several attempts to stop them.
In response, Felokwakhe Ndlovu conspired with others to have Nxumalo killed. He was subsequently arrested, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder.
Dlamini was initially assigned as the investigating officer in Nxumalo’s murder case but the docket was later removed from him and he was removed from the Political Killings Task Team. He subsequently approached a key witness and attempted to persuade him to withdraw from testifying. The witness reported the matter to the prosecutor and the newly assigned investigating officer, leading to the registration and investigation of a case of defeating the administration of justice.
Investigations revealed that Khumalo paid R120 000 to Khephu Ndlovu, which was intended for Dlamini in exchange for his role in speaking to the witness. It was further established that Mbonambi assisted in concealing the firearm used in the murder. The weapon was later recovered from a third party who testified that Mbonambi had asked him to hide it.
Despite the interference, the witness ultimately testified, contributing to the successful conviction and life sentence of Felokwakhe Ndlovu and his co-accused in the murder trial.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Mzwandile Lawrence Gcaba led the evidence of the affected witness, the investigating officer who took over the case and the individual who had been asked to conceal the firearm.
In aggravation of the sentence, Gcaba submitted that Dlamini and Khephu Ndlovu, as police officials, had a duty to uphold the law but instead accepted gratification to undermine a murder investigation. The court heard that the exchange of money took place at the Durban Central Police Station.
Gcaba further submitted that Dlamini, as the initial investigating officer, was fully aware of the impact of the crime on the victim’s family, yet chose to compromise the case for personal gain.
The court sentenced Dlamini, Khumalo, Felokwakhe Ndlovu and Khephu Ndlovu to 15 years’ imprisonment each for corruption. Mbonambi was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. All five accused received an additional two years’ imprisonment for defeating the administration of justice, resulting in an effective sentence of 17 years’ direct imprisonment each.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the fight against corruption remains a key organisational priority.
“This case demonstrates that no individual is above the law, particularly those entrusted with enforcing it,” the NPA said in a statement.
