Fifteen years for stabbing a man to death. This was the sentence imposed on Bulelani Qombole, recently convicted for Councillor Simphiwe
Silo’s murder in February 2023. His co-accused, Thanduxolo “Tasco” Gontse, walked out of court a free man after Qombole confessed to the murder.
Silo’s widow, Iviwe said her heart ached at hearing the news that the man who killed her husband would serve only 15 years behind bars.
“I was in court and my heart just broke. But I can’t blame them. The one who was sentenced confessed he did it and the other (his co-accused) said in his testimony he did not stab my husband.
“I don’t know how I feel about the sentence. I am very conflicted; I don’t feel happy or sad because nothing will ever bring my husband back. Tasco’s family is happy because he is free, but I will never get to see my husband again. I will never hear his voice or touch him ever again.”
Qombole and Gontse were arrested on Monday 6 February 2023, hours after Silo succumbed to his single stab wound sustained in an argument with the accused as he was on his way to home. The wounded young Overstrand councillor managed to reach his home in Zwelihle, but died before he could receive medical attention.
Members of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit managed to apprehend Gontse and Qombole hours later and recovered the murder weapon. Iviwe had nothing but praise for the unit and thanked its officers for the speedy arrests.
She also thanked Councillor Michelle Sapepa for standing by her since the murder. “She supported me through everything. If she weren’t there for me, always checking up on me, I just don’t know…”
Sapepa said Silo had been like a son to her and described his death as “a huge loss for the community of Zwelihle”.
She added: “He fought for the community and was also involved in the peace talks in the 2018 riots.”
She said the trial and the time since Silo’s murder had exacted a heavy toll on his widow. “Every time we went to court it was as if it had just occurred. The worst day for Iviwe was when she had to take the stand to testify. After the accused was sentenced she sent me a message to say it had just kicked in that her husband was truly gone. It was heartbreaking.
“As much as I am not happy to think one can receive a sentence of 15 years for killing someone and come out on parole after serving only a part of it, we are grateful that someone was at least convicted and sentenced. Nothing will ever bring Koko, as I called him, back.”
Iviwe said although the trial and sentence had brought a small measure of closure she was still struggling to come to terms with her loss.
“I am not okay. My life has not been the same since the day he died. Now my house is silent. I miss his support, his voice, everything about him.”
The sentencing, she said, signalled the close of a very stressful chapter, one of attending court and wondering about the outcome. “Now,I am closing the chapter of my life with my husband totally. I have to start a new life without him. Just me…”
