PARKTOWN – The High Court of South Africa Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg sentenced Sipho Mabasa, to six life imprisonment terms, for killing six people at the Jabulani Hostel on 08 June 2020. He was further sentenced to 25 years, for possession of unlicensed firearms, 15 years for attempted murder, and three years for possession of ammunition.

Mabasa was arrested by the Lenasia South African Police Service (SAPS), on 16 June 2020, in possession of a pistol and ammunition. He was then linked to the Jabulani murder case, through ballistics evidence. Detective Sergeant Banele Gavin Ndlovu, working together with a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of the Murder and Robbery squad, the Johannesburg Tactical Response Team, worked tirelessly to gather circumstantial evidence, as the surviving victims could not identify the three men that attacked them when they were having a birthday celebration, leaving six people dead and one of the victims partially disabled.

State Adv. Rachel Kau argued that the use of unlawful firearms to deprive citizens of their right to live, was prevalent and that our courts need to nip this increasing criminality in the bud, by imposing stringent sentences.

The NPA acknowledges the continuous efforts of dedicated police officers like Detective Sergeant Ndlovu,that add value to the work done by committed prosecutors of Adv. Kau’s caliber. Society continues to depend on these fruitful partnerships to feel safe.

Source: South African Police Service