NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has welcomed the hefty sentence that was handed down by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting at Delmas against two murderers, Sipho Thabo Mahlangu, aged 25 and Sibusiso Cyril Mahlangu, aged 31. The sentence was imposed on Friday 03 December 2021.

The two accused are brothers and it is said that on 09 November 2017 Sibusiso Mahlangu and Thabo Mahlangu kidnapped as well as murdered Koos Thugwana, a former police officer. They tried to conceal their acts by burying his body in a shallow grave before they fled the scene. His disappearance was reported to the police at Kwamhlanga whereby a thorough investigation was conducted which yielded positive results when they (police) cornered the two brothers. Sipho Thabo Mahlangu was arrested on 17 November 2017 meanwhile Sibusiso Cyril Mahlangu, was apprehended on 19 November 2017. Both accused were arrested at Kwamhlanga respectively.

The investigation further led police to a gruesome discovery of the deceased’s body after the siblings pointed out a place where they hid his body in the bushes at Sun City, Klipfontein near Kwamhlanga. The two accused were then charged with kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. They both went on trial and they were convicted on 19 November 2021 hence their sentencing as follows:

On a count of murder, both accused were sentenced to life imprisonment whilst on a count of kidnapping, the two men were each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Meanwhile for defeating the ends of justice the Mahlangu brothers were slapped with 10 years’ imprisonment. An additional 5 years to each was imposed upon the two men for a count of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. Both men were further declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Provincial Commissioner has further applauded the team of Investigators, the Prosecution team as well as the Judiciary which led to the incarceration of the two men with the anticipation that it will serve as a deterrence to others who might consider emulating their actions. Hopefully the sentence will somehow bring closure to the family of the victim.

Source: South African Police Service