A 42-year-old parolee has been sentenced to four life terms and 102 years’ direct imprisonment for a series of murders and robberies in Du Noon and Delft.
The High Court of South Africa handed down the sentence on Tuesday 24 February. Ayanda Dayi was convicted of four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft, three counts of illegal possession of firearms and three counts of illegal possession of ammunition.
Judge: Accused showed “total disregard for human life”
Acting Judge Amanda van Leeve described Dayi’s actions as “extremely violent” and said he showed a “total disregard for human life”.
She said he posed a danger to society and had demonstrated no remorse.
Dayi received life imprisonment for each murder count. He was also sentenced to:
- 15 years for each robbery count
- Five years for theft of a firearm
- 15 years for each firearm possession charge
- Four years for each ammunition possession charge
- 10 years for attempted murder
The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Two separate shooting incidents
The convictions relate to two separate incidents.
On 24 January 2024, Dayi and an accomplice fatally shot Eric Yaphi and Elvis Thembelani Cwethiso in Du Noon before hijacking their vehicle.
On 16 May 2024, three bread-delivery workers were shot during a robbery at a spaza shop at the corner of Delft Main Road and Symphony Way. Xolani Gaji and Cebisile Mfundiso died. Aphiwe Nogaya survived after being hospitalised.
Surveillance footage, along with forensic and ballistic evidence, linked Dayi to the Delft shooting.
Senior state advocate Esna Erasmus told the court that the families of the deceased had effectively received “a different kind of life sentence” marked by grief and trauma.
Previous convictions and parole status
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Dayi had previous convictions for robbery and rape.
He was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for rape and released on parole on 17 April 2018. He was due to complete that sentence on 15 July next year.
Authorities welcome sentence
The South African Police Service welcomed the outcome.
Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile commended the investigating and prosecution teams, saying the sentence reflected SAPS’s commitment to holding perpetrators of violent crime accountable.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Nicolette Bell said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the offences.
“This accused and his co-accused displayed extreme cruelty against unsuspecting unarmed victims. We hope the families of the victims will find solace knowing the accused has received sentences which fit the crimes he committed,” Bell said.
