The Pietermaritzburg High Court has sentenced self-confessed cocaine user Thabiso “Dladla” Zondi to three life terms for murders committed over the 2024 Easter weekend. Zondi was found guilty of murdering Sphamandla Lungisani Mkhize, Simbonge Ntuthuko Msweli and Sphamandla Ngubane, as well as the attempted murder of Nkosinathi Bhengu, and the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. In addition to the life sentences, he received 10 years for attempted murder, 15 years for possession of a prohibited firearm, and five years for possession of ammunition.
All sentences are to run concurrently with one life term. The shootings took place on March 30, 2024, on Langalibalele Street in Pietermaritzburg. According to the indictment, the three deceased men, all from Pietermaritzburg, were known to Zondi.
In the early hours of that Saturday morning, the victims were with Bhengu in his Nissan Almera, which was parked on Langalibalele Street while they had drinks. At the time of the attack, they were in and around the vehicle. “The accused, holding a firearm, approached while cocking the weapon.
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As he came closer, he shot at the first deceased before proceeding to fire at the others, killing the three deceased and injuring the complainant,” the indictment states. Zondi was arrested later that day at his home in Imbali. Police recovered a 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number and a live round of ammunition.
During his conviction in September, Judge Siphokazi Jikela rejected Zondi’s version of events, saying she found it “unbelievable”. She said the testimony of the state’s witnesses was credible and consistent, and accepted the State’s case that Zondi acted out of jealousy after one of the victims left a nightclub with his girlfriend. Zondi claimed he was not at the scene and that the firearm found in his possession had been left in his car by someone else.
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