GQEBERHA – Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms at the New Brighton Regional Court on 6 August for the brutal murder of an off-duty police officer who was stabbed in the neck while walking home with his girlfriend in Zwide, Gqeberha, in September 2024.
According to Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, on 21 September 2024, at approximately 23:12, the deceased, Constable Lwanda Msezeni (28), was off duty and walking home with his girlfriend along Somfula Street in Zwide after leaving a local tavern.
The couple were followed by the accused, Sinoxolo Ndanga (28) and Akhona Zamxaka (30), who launched a violent and ruthless attack.
“During the commission of the offence, Constable Msezeni was fatally stabbed in the neck and robbed of his cellphone and wallet. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene, where emergency personnel later certified him dead,” said Mhlakuvana.
He further said the accused used the deceased’s bank cards to purchase items from different retail stores.
Mhlakuvana said, recognising the gravity of the offence, the Gqeberha Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation launched an intensive, intelligence-driven investigation.
“Through painstaking analysis and investigative techniques, the perpetrators were positively identified, traced and apprehended,” said Mhlakuvana.
He said the accused remained in custody throughout the court proceedings until their sentencing.
Mhlakuvana said that, upon conviction, both accused were sentenced to 13 years’ direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, while Ndanga was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for murder.
He further said Zamxaka was sentenced to three years’ direct imprisonment for fraud.
Mhlakuvana said the court further ordered that all the sentences run concurrently and declared both accused unfit to possess firearms, reflecting the seriousness of their criminal conduct and the danger they pose to society.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obend Ngwenya, commended the investigating team for their exceptional investigative competence, perseverance and exemplary commitment to ensuring that the accused were sentenced.
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