MDANTSANE – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the three life sentences plus an additional 42 years’ imprisonment imposed by the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, sitting in Bhisho, on taxi operator Siphelele Jako (38).
His sentences were as follows: life imprisonment on each of the three counts of murder, 15 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, five years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to commit murder, five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm, three years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition, three years’ imprisonment for discharging a firearm in a built-up area, three years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Luxolo Tyali said he was convicted on multiple charges arising from the fatal shooting of three students in Mdantsane on 19 November, 2023.
“The three students, Somila Soso and twins Ume and Likuye Ndambiyane (all aged 17), were relaxing with a friend after completing their examinations when they were attacked in a backroom rented by the twins in NU1, Mdantsane, to be closer to their respective schools, Buchule High School and Mzomhle High School,” said Tyali.
He confirmed that their friend was also injured during the attack.
Tyali added that the court heard that Jako murdered the three in revenge following a road-rage altercation earlier that day. Jako had been driving while under the influence of alcohol and was transporting a woman to her home when he drove into oncoming traffic.
“A quarrel subsequently broke out between him and the driver of an oncoming vehicle. That driver happened to live at the same property where the students were staying,” he said. “The alteration was broken up by the woman Jako had been transporting, after which he dropped her off at her home. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the woman’s home accompanied by another man and demanded that she show them where the driver with whom he had earlier quarrelled lived.”
According to Tyali, when she refused, Jako took out a firearm, pointed it at her and forced her into his vehicle.
“Upon arriving at the property where the driver lived, he jumped over the fence and proceeded to the room occupied by the students,” he said. “When they opened the door and saw that he was armed, they immediately tried to close it. Jako forced the door open, entered the room and indiscriminately opened fire on them.”
One of the learners managed to escape despite sustaining a gunshot wound, with a bullet lodged close to his spine, and reported the incident to the landlord.
“Jako was arrested the following day and later abandoned his bail application. During the trial, he pleaded not guilty despite the compelling evidence presented by the State,” Tyali said.
Senior State Advocate Nkululeko Mzinyathi led evidence from several witnesses, including the woman who was kidnapped and forced to point out the property, the survivor of the shooting and the driver who had been involved in the earlier altercation with Jako.
“The man who accompanied Jako during the commission of the offences was also charged in connection with the incident. He was acquitted by the court,” she said. “However, his evidence was crucial in placing Jako at the scene of the offences.”
Handing down sentence, Acting Judge Noluvo Mhlana agreed with the State’s submission that Jako had shown no remorse for killing defenceless and vulnerable children who had done him no wrong.
“Their lives were cut short by the cruel and cowardly conduct of the accused. He shot them more than once in the chest and head, ensuring that they did not survive,” Mzinyathi stated. “He acted like an animal and does not deserve to live among society. He needs to be removed from society for a considerable period,” she said.
She further agreed with the State that the murders were premeditated. The court also heard that Jako had a previous conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, for which he had received a suspended five-year sentence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, said this sentence sends a clear message that those who commit planned acts of extreme violence and unlawfully take the lives of others will face the full might of the law.
“The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to prosecuting violent crime and offences involving illegal firearms to ensure justice for victims and safer communities,” said Mtwana.
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