DOUBLE LIFE AND 25 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR A TAXI FAMILY FEUD MATTER
10 December 2025
DOUBLE LIFE AND 25 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR A TAXI FAMILY FEUD MATTER
The Esikhawini Regional Court has sentenced Samukelo Tyson Dumisa (37) to two terms of life imprisonment and 25 years imprisonment for the kidnappings, robbery, murder, and attempted murder he committed in the Port Dunford area in November 2023.
Dumisa and the complainant, Haimpondo Xulu, are distant relatives, and they have a long-standing family feud over taxis. Xulu is also a taxi owner and driver. Before the incident, Xulu and the deceased, Sandiso Magwaza, were running a taxi when Dumisa and two accomplices boarded the taxi pretending to be passengers. At some point, they were alone in the taxi with Xulu and Magwaza (the men). They accosted Xulu and asked him about various family issues. They also stole cellphones belonging to the men and about R8000 in cash, at gunpoint. Dumisa then took over the driving of the taxi and drove to the beach at Port Dunford.
The men were made to kneel on the ground, and using a firearm, Dumisa fired a shot at Xulu; however, the firearm did not go off. He then exchanged firearms with his accomplice and fired another shot at Xulu; however, again, the firearm didn’t go off. He pointed the firearm at Magwaza and fired the third shot, killing Magwaza. They then stabbed Xulu multiple times in his body and further dislocated his jaw to the extent that he lost some teeth. Xulu was strangled with a rope until he lost consciousness. Xulu regained consciousness the following day, and fearing for his life, he stayed in the nearby bushes for two nights. Magwaza’s body was found the next day. Dumisa was arrested after police acted on information they received from informants.
In court, Prosecutor Kamogelo Mahila Nkwatle led Xulu’s evidence as well as the evidence of the person who found Magwaza’s body, and the SAPS officer who attended the scene. A pathologist also testified on the state’s behalf. The state handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) facilitated by Court Preparation Officers Amanda Chonco and Seneliso Sibanda. In his VIS, Xulu told the court that he had been psychologically and emotionally traumatised by the incident. To this end, he cannot resume his work as a taxi owner/driver and has hired someone to drive his taxi. Magwaza’s mother said that her son was her pillar of strength, and her family is deeply traumatised by his senseless killing. She said that he had dreams of becoming a fashion designer and had been saving money to fund his aspirations.
Dumisa was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment each for the murder and attempted murder, five years imprisonment for each of the two counts of kidnapping and 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA hopes that this sentence demonstrates the NPA’s commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of the victim of crime and their families.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
071 6700 229