LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING WARD COUNCILLOR

22 JULY 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING WARD COUNCILLOR

The Ntuzuma Regional Court has sentenced Phathesakhe Thuthukani Ngiba (25) to life and 12 years imprisonment for the murder (and firearm-related charges) of a ward councillor in September 2022 in the Kwa Maphumulo area.

The deceased, Zakhele Khuzwayo (44), was a ward councillor at the iLembe Municipality. On the evening of 15 September 2022, Khuzwayo was driving his motor vehicle along a gravel road in the area when he stopped to speak to someone known to him. While he and the person were speaking, a motor vehicle approached them, and an unknown man alighted from that vehicle and walked to Khuzwayo’s motor vehicle.

Several shots were fired at Khuzwayo's motor vehicle, and the shooter fled the scene. The man who was with Khuzwayo ran to a nearby area for assistance.

Ngiba was eventually arrested after police traced his fingerprints from the crime scene.

In the state’s case, Advocate Elvis Gcweka led the evidence of Ngiba's fingerprints, as well as the testimony of the eyewitness who was with Khuzwayo at the time of the shooting.

In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Gcweka handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by Khuzwayo's wife and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng. In her statement, the woman said that following the incident, family members suspected her of being responsible for Khuzwayo's death. This caused her immense stress and tension. She described Khuzwayo as a responsible and loving person. She said that Khuzwayo's death has affected her and her children, and they are struggling to cope. Ngiba was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence, and we commend the successful partnership between the Prosecution, the Political Killings Task Team in KZN and other stakeholders. We trust that sentences of this nature will deter like-minded individuals.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson KZN Division

0716700229