WESTERN CAPE –The Cape Town High Court yesterday, 30 November 2022, sentenced 30-year-old Mzuhleli Tshanda to life imprisonment for the murder of a police officer, Const Songezo Khethiwe. This comes after his conviction on 17 0ctober 2022.
It is reported that on 21 July 2019, members of Delft SAPS Crime Prevention whilst on patrol saw two people, a male and a female walking into Spekboom Street. Upon approaching them, the male started firing shots towards the police vehicle as a result Constable Songezo Khethiwe sustained gunshot wounds in his right arm. Songezo was shot below his armpit.
During the incident, Constable Khethiwe was fatally wounded and one of the two constables sustained bullet wounds on her right arm whilst the third one was uninjured. The police vehicle that they were driving in had bullet holes with both right windows shattered. Ten cartridges and two projectiles were recovered at the crime scene. The suspect fled the scene.
In an interconnected matter, a few minutes later from the first incident other members of Delft SAPS CPU were also on patrol when an unknown man ran across the road in front of the police vehicle brandishing a firearm. A chase ensued and the suspect started shooting at the police. The police ordered the suspect to surrender, however, the suspect resorted to firing at police. An exchange of fire followed, resulting in the police wounding and apprehending the suspect. Preliminary investigation revealed that the recovered firearm was the same firearm that shot and killed Constable Khethiwe and injured the second member.
Tshanda was charged with murder of SAPS official, attempted murder of SAPS officials as well as possession of unlicensed firearm. Tshanda was sentenced to nine counts as follows:
Count 1: Murder – Sentenced to life imprisonment
Count 2-3: Attempted murder – was sentenced 12 years respectively on each count
Count 4-7: Attempted murder – was sentenced 10 years respectively on each count
Count 8: 12 years for unlawful possession of a firearm
Count 9: Sentenced to 5 years for possession of ammunition without license
The court ordered that the sentence imposed in counts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 to run concurrently with the sentence in count 1. Therefore, Tshandu will serve life imprisonment.
The Provincial Head, Major General Mathipa Makgato welcomed the hefty sentence imposed on Tshandu following the murder of Constable Khethiwe. Major General Makgato further thanked the investigation team, the prosecution team and the judiciary for the excellent work done.
Source: South African Police Service