Duo Sentenced For Murder Of Abducted Lenasia Teacher
A 36-year-old man, Lucky Mshubi, and his accomplice Thabo Mambila (31) were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a Lenasia teacher Naadira Vanker, by the High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg on Friday, 18 February 2022.
They were further sentenced to five years each for housebreaking with intent to commit crimes of robbery and/or kidnapping, 17 and 15 years respectively for robbery and four years each for kidnapping, Mshubi received a further two years for attempted extortion. The accused were both sentenced to six years each, for defeating the ends of justice and the sentences on housebreaking and kidnapping were ordered to run concurrently with the robbery.
On 22 April 2021, both accused broke into Vanker's flat and overpowered her inside her bedroom. They then tied her up and stuffed clothing in her mouth to prevent her from screaming. They took her car keys and used her vehicle to abduct her to Mshubi's residence at Phumlamqashi, where they killed and buried her in the backyard.
On the day of her disappearance, Mohammed Gerner tried to call her and her phone was answered by an unknown person that demanded a ransom, otherwise "someone would die". A search party led to Mshubi's arrest on 28 April 2021. Upon questioning, he pointed to the Police members a shallow grave wherein Vanker's remains were discovered.
Mshubi was a security guard at the flats where Vanker resided and was dismissed after the deceased complained about his behaviour on duty. Senior State Adv. Elize Le Roux argued that her four minor children will now have to grow up without a mother. She further said that the murder was senseless, and the family had suffered indescribable trauma.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence and appreciates the work done by our partners to arrest the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Issued by: Phindi Mjonondwane
Regional Spokesperson- Gauteng Local Division
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