PARKTOWN – Addressing the proliferation of taxi violence related crime remains a top priority for police in Gauteng. It is on this basis that the recent hefty sentence secured by a team of detectives was welcomed by the Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Major General Girly Mbele.
On Monday, 28 March 2022 the Gauteng South High Court sentenced 49-year-old Roy Mlungisi Ndawonde to 80 years’ imprisonment for multiple charges related to a taxi violence related incident which include murder; theft; unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Ndawonde was found guilty for the murder of 34-year-old Nomsa Makhanya; she was a member of Kempton Park Taxi Association. On Tuesday, 28 March 2019 Ndawonde accosted his victim Makhanya near her home in Tembisa; she was with her daughters at the time. Makhanya died at the scene due to multiple gunshot wounds.
The case was assigned to Sergeant Mokgola Rapetswa, a detective based at the Gauteng Provincial Head Office, Organised Crime Investigations (OCI). Rapetswa immediately commenced with the investigation and teamed up with Sergeant Mandla Masondo and Sergeant Bhekumuzi Dlamini in solving the case. Rapetswa meticulously pieced all the available evidence together which led the team to an address in Vosloorus where Ndawonde was arrested. The team also recovered a hijacked vehicle, an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Through the application of forensic techniques it was confirmed that the recovered firearm is positively linked to the murder of Nomsa Makhanya.
Rapetswa and his team worked around the clock to build a water-tight case against Ndawonde and ultimately ensure that justice prevails. “Serious and violent crime, especially within the taxi industry is a top priority for police in Gauteng. Sergeant Mokgola Rapetswa and his team are commended for leaving no stone unturned in solving this case. Quality work ethic displayed by our members will restore the communities’ faith in the South African Police Service,” said Major General Girly Mbele.
Source: South African Police Service