Three Life Terms For Triple Murder Accused

The High Court of South Africa: Eastern Cape Division, sitting in Mthatha, sentenced Mandisi Makhanda (37), to three life imprisonment terms for killing three members of one family. In addition, the court sentenced him to a cumulative 15-year sentence, for robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms, with intent to commit an offence, and possession of firearms and ammunition.

Before the commission of the above offences, Makhanda, of the Cumgce area in the district of Libode, escaped from lawful custody at Rooigrond Correctional Centre in the North-West province, where he was serving a life sentence for murder. During his escape, he stole a firearm belonging to a correctional officer. On the evening of 04 October 2018, he armed himself with that firearm and went to Nomqonde’s spaza shop in the Mafini area in the district of Ngqeleni.

On his arrival, he found customers consuming liquor inside and instructed them to lie down at gunpoint. He then approached the cashier and demanded cash. The deceased, Novangeli Nomqonde, complied but pleaded with him not to take a cellphone that did not belong to her. Makhanda said she was cheeky and shot her dead. When her husband, Fezile Nomqonde, tried to intervene, he also shot him together with his nephew Zalisile Nomqonde.

Makhanda was arrested at Circus Triangle Mall, in Mthatha on 07 November 2018, still carrying the murder weapon. A customer who was present during the commission of the offence, tipped the police off when he came across Makhanda, in Libode town, a few days after the incident. During the trial, he pleaded not guilty, and disputed ever setting his foot at the Nomqonde spaza shop. But under cross-examination by Senior State Adv. Mduduzi Mzila, he could not tell where he was on that day, nor not explain how a firearm stolen during his escape from North-West province was found in his possession, and positively linked to the murders.

Easter Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo commended the prosecutor and the investigating team, led by the provincial head of Organised Crime, Brigadier Duduzile Ngculu.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Eastern Cape Division

Tel: 0475012630

Cell: 0735559292

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za