KZN ‘hitman’ who murdered eight will likely never walk free

A KwaZulu-Natal man described as a “contract killer” will likely never walk free after being sentenced to multiple life terms for eight murders committed across the province. Siphamandla Gumede (31) was sentenced in the Mtunzini High Court on Friday, where he received life imprisonment for the murder of Bongani Mhlongo, along with 15 years each for the murders of Edwin Zungu and Simo Luthuli. These sentences will run concurrently with five life terms and 40 years’ imprisonment he is already serving following a mass shooting in Umlazi in November 2023.

In that attack, Gumede and his accomplices stormed two homes, gunning down Nontlomelo Golumbiza, Nandipha Ndabeni, Nkosinathi Phutheni, Cebolenkosi Zwane and Mbongeni Nkwanyana before shooting and robbing a surviving victim. With the latest convictions, Gumede has now been found guilty of eight murders. Judge Rob Mossop noted that there were no apparent links between Gumede and his victims, reinforcing the finding that the murders were likely carried out for payment.

He said Gumede showed no visible emotion as the impact of his crimes was detailed, describing him as dishonest, arrogant and indifferent. Delivering his judgment, Mossop said Gumede killed people for money and has shown no remorse for the devastation he has caused. “You are a contract killer.

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The community is not a safe place with you in it. You have visited great devastation on these families,” Mossop said. Gumede has been declared unfit to possess a firearm.

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