Police unions have welcomed the sentencing of attackers of Ngcobo police officers.
The Mthatha High Court sentenced Andani Monco, 36, Kwanele Ndlwana, 28, Siphosomzi Tshefu, 29, and Phumzile Mhlatywa, 51, to five life terms for the murder of five police officers during a brazen attack on Ngcobo Police Station on February 21, 2018.
The court on Thursday sentenced four men to additional sentences ranging between 25 and 40 years for their roles in offences including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, committed on and before the massacre.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Eastern Cape said the convicted murderers were members of a cult, known as Seven Angels Ministry Church, which operated from Nyanga village near Ngcobo.
Before attacking the police station, they first went to Butterworth where they robbed a police officer who was directing traffic and forcefully took his firearm on November 21, 2017.
Two weeks later, on December 5, 2017, the same group went to Cala town where they took a gun from an off-duty police officer at gunpoint. Before the Ngcobo attack, the group, including some members of the cult who were killed during a shootout with police during their arrest, observed the movements of Ngcobo police and planned how to attack them. They assigned roles to each other.
Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, commended Advocate Nomapa Mvandaba for meticulously and patiently finalising the case amid challenges presented by the men choosing to represent themselves.
The NPA said it remains resolute in its pursuit of justice, prioritising the prosecution of violent crimes and protecting the safety and well-being of South African communities.
The South African Police Union (SAPU), which noted that police officers lost their lives and that an attack on law enforcement was an attack on the state, applauded the punishment.
“We welcome the sentencing of the perpetrators who were found guilty of committing those crimes where the lives of police officers were lost while they were on duty. We continue to reiterate our position to say that the state must make sure that they protect our police officers. It should send a strong message to criminals that if they attack officers, they will be punished,” said SAPU spokesperson Lesiba Thabakgale.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) echoed the same sentiments.
“We welcome the sentencing of these criminals. It is long overdue and we hope this serves as a lesson to other would-be police killers that the arm of the law is long but effective. Since then, we have had a series of discussions with authorities about the need to ensure our police stations are well-resourced, and that the killing of officers is treated as treason,” said Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo.
He said Popcru will be having its Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting in the coming two weeks, and this matter will definitely be reflected as to how far the relevant authorities are in realising these improvements.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola also welcomed the five life sentences.
Masemola described the attack and killing of on-duty police officers at the station as the worst display of disrespect and undermining of the rule of law.
“We commend the investigating team inclusive of our detectives, crime scene experts, prosecutors, and our courts for working tirelessly to bring justice to the families of these police officers,” said Masemola.
The Star