LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING A MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE

06 AUGUST 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING A MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE

The Madadeni Regional Court has sentenced Nomaswazi Angel Shabalala, Mondli Mabaso, Mduduzi James Zakes Njuza, and Nqobile Brown Ngcobo to life imprisonment for the murder they committed in February 2019 in the Ladysmith area. The deceased, Simingaye Oscar Hlatshwayo, was employed as an Executive Director: Technical Services at the Alfred Duma Municipality. Shabalala worked there as well. Before the incident, Shabalala and the others decided to kill Hlatshwayo.

On 07 February 2019, Hlatshwayo left his home for work in a motor vehicle. The assailants set up an ambush on his route to work. This was done at a busy intersection with a traffic signal, where motor vehicles were forced to navigate slowly. They fired several shots at the motor vehicle driven by Hlatshwayo. He was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene due to gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

In the state’s case, Advocate Cyril Selepe led the evidence of two Section 204 witnesses, video footage, cellphone evidence and ballistic reports. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Selepe handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Hlatshwayo’s wife and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Victoria Griffiths. In her statement, the woman said that her husband was her best friend and the breadwinner of their family. She said that he took care of them, but even provided for their extended family members. She said that she and her children are struggling to cope with the loss.

All four of the accused were sentenced accordingly and declared unfit to possess a firearm. The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence, and we commend the successful partnership between the Prosecution and our partners in law enforcement. We trust that sentences of this nature will deter like-minded individuals.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

0716700229