Cousins Sentenced for Violent Crime Against their Aunt and her Son
03 April 2025
Cousins Sentenced for Violent Crime Against their Aunt and her Son
The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, Makhanda, has sentenced Aluta Hati (30) and Lungisile Yekanye (18) for a series of offenses stemming from an incident that occurred on 6 February 2024, in East London. The charges include robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, arson, two counts of kidnapping, and attempted murder.
The accused, who are cousins, attacked their aunt, Busisiwe Mali (53), and her son, Sinelizwi Mali (15), at their home. Hati, who had been in contact with Busisiwe, arrived at her house accompanied by Yekanye. Hati had made arrangements to stay over at his aunt’s house on the night in question. Shortly after their arrival, Hati produced a firearm, which he handed to Yekanye. They proceeded to tie up the hands and necks of the aunt and cousin with cable ties, demanding money from the aunt. The two accused forced the aunt to make telephonic bank transfers from her account to Hati’s wife's account.
The duo forced the aunt and cousin into the aunt’s vehicle and drove towards Needs Camp, leaving behind a 10-year-old cousin who was asleep in the house. After a stop in a secluded area, the violence escalated, with Hati ordering Yekanye to kill their aunt. Yekanye then repeatedly stabbed his aunt, and after she pretended to be dead, Hati confirmed her death by inspecting her with a cell -phone torch. The two then abandoned her body, went to the house, and ransacked it, loading several appliances into her car and setting the house alight. The 10-year-old managed to escape, running to his mother's house nearby.
They further kidnapped Sinelizwi and drove towards Butterworth. On the way, Hati tried to shoot the cousin, but the firearm malfunctioned. Yekanye then hit the victim in the head, strangled, and stabbed him before leaving him for dead. Fortunately, the cousin survived, regained consciousness, and managed to get assisted by workers at a stop-go traffic control on the road. Hati was arrested on 14 February 2025, and Yekanye eight days later.
Arguing for an appropriate sentence, State Advocate, Nolusindiso Phikiso, highlighted the brutal nature of the offenses and the ongoing emotional and psychological damage caused to the victims. "The actions of the accused were calculated, cold-blooded, and brutal. Mrs. Mali and her son have endured both physical and emotional scars that will last a lifetime, said Advocate Phikiso. The court rejected Hati’s defence that his actions were motivated by the belief that Busisiwe was responsible for his grandfather’s death, as allegedly told to him by a traditional healer. The evidence suggested that both accused were primarily driven by financial gain, and their actions were not rooted in any legitimate grievance.
Hati was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition, five years imprisonment for kidnapping, five years imprisonment for kidnapping, life imprisonment for attempted murder, and life imprisonment for attempted murder. All sentences are ordered to run concurrently with the life sentence.
Yekanye was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, four years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm, four years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition, four years imprisonment for kidnapping, four years imprisonment for kidnapping, 20 years imprisonment for attempted murder, seven years imprisonment for arson, and 20 years imprisonment for attempted murder. The sentences are to run concurrently with an effective period of imprisonment of 20 years.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Barry Madolo, welcomed the sentencing, emphasising that the court’s decision sends a clear message that violent crimes will not be tolerated. "This case highlights the importance of ensuring that justice is served, not only to the victims but also to the broader community.
Issued by:
Luxolo Tyali
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Eastern Cape Division
Tel: 047 501 2630
Cell: 073 555 9292
Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za
Enquiries: nmakupula@npa.gov.za