TRIO SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR DOUBLE MURDER 

29 July 2025 

TRIO SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR DOUBLE MURDER 

The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has sentenced Mpilo Clinton Twala (35), Advice Philimon Lubisi (39), and Joshua Mkhonto (42) to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Isaac Mdaka and Xoli Mathebula in 2020. The trio was convicted on two counts of murder, three counts of kidnapping, and assault, relating to events that occurred in Xhimungwe, District of Bushbuckridge. 

Twala and Mkhonto were tavern owners, while Lubisi was a friend of Twala. On 1 March 2020, the accused forcefully abducted the victims from their homes, accusing them of breaking into Twala’s tavern. They took them to an open field where they severely assaulted them using scissor jacks. They then poured petrol over both men and set them alight. Mdaka managed to escape, despite his burns, and was discovered by a passerby who alerted his father. The father immediately called an ambulance, and both victims were transported to Matikwane Hospital, where they succumbed to their burn injuries. The accused were arrested a week later. 

During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied any involvement. However, Senior State Advocate Vuyo Mkhulise presented compelling evidence, including the testimony of the surviving victim and eyewitnesses. One witness testified to seeing the accused assaulting Mdaka and informing his father, who later identified the accused as the individual who had taken his son. Post-mortem reports confirming severe burn injuries as the cause of death were submitted as evidence. The court found the accused guilty as charged. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Mkhulise emphasised that the accused had shown no remorse, and described the murders as cruel, reflecting a total disregard for human life. Victim Impact Statements, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena, outlined the lasting trauma experienced by the victims’ families. 

The court sentenced each of the accused as follows: Life imprisonment for each count of murder, five years’ imprisonment for each count of kidnapping, and twelve months’ imprisonment for assault, suspended for five years. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning each accused will serve life imprisonment. The court also ordered the Department of Correctional Services to consult the victims’ families before considering the accused for parole. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes this sentence as a strong warning against acts of vigilantism. Taking the law into one’s own hands undermines the justice system. We urge communities to report criminal activity to law enforcement and to allow justice to take its course. This outcome highlights the tireless collaboration between law enforcement and the prosecution team in ensuring justice for victims and restoring faith in the criminal justice system. Ends. 

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa 

Regional Spokesperson: NPA Mpumalanga 

013 045 0625 / 076 485 5446