GQEBERHA – Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene applauded and commended the sterling investigation by Detective Warrant Officer Deon Alexander of the Serious and Violent Crime Task Team from Motherwell for ensuring that five murder accused received the maximum sentence meted out to them in the Gqeberha Regional court yesterday, 21 November 2022.

On 11 March 2018 at 23:00, seven males went to a house in Mpheko Street in NU7 in Motherwell and broke down the door. The owner of the house who was a cripple and his wife were in bed and were ordered to remain in bed while they ransacked the house and loaded their household goods into a red Toyota Avanza. As the woman, Nosipho Sible Mabusela (55) got up to investigate, two accused returned and ordered her to cover her face and fatally shot her. Her husband who was lying next to her was not harmed.

Alert neighbours, on hearing the shots immediately contacted the police who arrived at the house while the suspects were still there. Some suspects ran away on foot while the others sped away in the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and two accused were arrested. All the stolen goods were in the vehicle.

As the investigation unfolded, some suspects were identified through fingerprint linkages.

The two arrested suspects appeared in court on 14 March 2018 on charges of murder and robbery. The third suspect was arrested about a week later in Kabega Park for illegal possession of firearm and was also positively linked to the murder of Mrs Mabusela. In the course of the investigation, a further three suspects were later apprehended. One accused who turned state witness subsequently passed away during the trial while the others remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.

The motive for the murder was about disability money paid out to Mr Clyde Vukile Mabusela (62) when he became paralyzed after a botched operation. Control of the couple’s financial affairs and assets would be managed by his sister if his wife was dead. The couple had no children. Mr Mabusela also passed away before the trial was finalised.

On 8 November 2022, all five accused were found guilty and sentenced yesterday, 21 November 2022 in the Gqeberha regional court. Sentences were as follows:

Lelethu Platana: 

Housebreaking with intent to rob: 10 years imprisonment
Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 18 years imprisonment
Murder: life imprisonment
Possession of a firearm: 10 years imprisonment
Possession of ammunition: 2 years imprisonment

Mfusi Ntushelo:

Housebreaking with intent to rob: 8 years imprisonment
Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 18 years imprisonment
Murder: life imprisonment
Possession of a firearm: 10 years imprisonment
Possession of ammunition: 2 years imprisonment

Mpumelelo Dlang:

Housebreaking with intent to rob: 8 years imprisonment
Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 15 years imprisonment
Murder: life imprisonment
Possession of a firearm: 10 years imprisonment
Possession of ammunition: 2 years imprisonment

Buyile Jambela:

Housebreaking with intent to rob: 8 years imprisonment
Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 15 years imprisonment
Murder: life imprisonment
Possession of a firearm: 10 years imprisonment
Possession of ammunition: 2 years imprisonment

Sikhumbuzo Hoyi:

Housebreaking with intent to rob: 8 years imprisonment
Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 15 years imprisonment
Murder: life imprisonment
Possession of a firearm: 10 years imprisonment
Possession of ammunition: 2 years imprisonment

All the accused are aged between 19 and 33 years old.

All the other sentences will run concurrent to the life sentence.

Lt Gen Mene welcomed the sentencing and re-iterated that ‘it is sad when a life is sacrificed at the cost of insidious acts of greed. Money is a factor behind many murders and it is clear that greed for more can push people to commit serious crimes such as murder. Criminals must know that their greedy actions most certainly does not justify their crime.  Justice has been served on the five accused. The investigating officer is commended for his meticulous investigation in ensuring a watertight case against the accused.’

Source: South African Police Service