DURBAN – Yesterday, the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court convicted and sentenced Sthembiso Zondo (30) to 15 years for murder and five years for obstructing the course of justice.

On 21September 2019, police officers received information regarding a man who was suspected to be a copper cable thief. They proceeded to a house at Shogweni Dam where he was residing upon searching the house copper cables were recovered by the police officers. One police officer decided to search the pit toilet to ensure that there was no copper cables left. As he was searching he saw a blanket and decide to pull it up. Human skeletal remains were found. The police Search and Rescue Unit was summoned to the scene and his suspicions were confirmed when the team removed the skeletal remains from the pit toilet.

Zondo was arrested for possession of stolen property whilst the detectives worked around the clock to determine who the dead person might be. The investigation revealed that the deceased was Thulile Mkhize who was reported missing at Jabulani SAPS in Gauteng on 9 July 2019. Zondo was then charged for murder and he made several appearances at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court before he was sentenced.

Source: South African Police Service