NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has gladly welcomed the hefty sentence that was imposed upon a murderer, July Hezekiel Ndwandwa (33). The accused was sentenced by the Barberton Regional Court on Thursday, 09 February 2023.

The sentence stems from a horrific event which unfolded on 30 May 2019. On that fateful day the Police in Barberton as well as the paramedics received information regarding a woman's body which was found at Grayvellie graveyard. Upon arrival the victim was unfortunately certified dead by the medical personnel. On further examination Police discovered that the victim had two gunshot wounds, one on the chest and the other on the right hand. The victim was identified as Ms Khulile Mahumane (29). A murder case was opened and the investigation team began the spade work of searching for her killers. Through vigorous investigation, the Police managed to establish that Ndwandwa was the last person to be seen with the deceased victim. The accused was apprehended and he later admitted to have committed the murder. During the course of the investigation, police discovered that the accused had allegedly committed murder in the Kingdom of Eswatini and there was a warrant for his arrest from the said neighbouring country with regard to the murder case. Though details of the murder remains with the police across the border, the accused was sentenced by the court to life imprisonment for the murder of Mahumane. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney has further thanked the Investigation team, the Prosecution team, and the Judiciary for their hardwork. The General also hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrence to others who might think that when they commit crime in secret places, no one will ever catch them.

Source: South African Police Service