From left convicted killer Felokwakhe Ndlovu, former Political Killings Task Team member, Lieutenant Colonel Khephu Ndlovu and Felokwakhe's son Lindokuhle Mbonambi at Pinetown Regional Court on Tuesday morning.
Image: NOMONDE ZONDI
Five people, including two former senior police officers—one previously linked to the Political Killings Task Team—have each been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for corruption after accepting a R120 000 bribe to manipulate evidence in the 2018 murder case of KwaNdengezi ANC branch leader Thulani Nxumalo.
The sentences were handed down in the Pinetown Regional Court on Tuesday.
Those convicted are former police officers Sergeant Bonginkosi Dlamini and Lieutenant Colonel Khephu Ndlovu, as well as Sibongile Ndlovu, her husband Felokwakhe Ndlovu, and their son Lindokuhle Mbonambi.
The court heard that Sibongile orchestrated the bribery scheme in a bid to secure the acquittal of her husband, Felokwakhe, in Nxumalo’s murder case. The payment was allegedly made in 2020 at Durban Central police station, where Sibongile met with the officers.
At the time, Dlamini was the investigating officer, while Lt Colonel Ndlovu acted as coordinator in the plot to derail the case. Mbonambi was also implicated in hiding the firearm used in Nxumalo’s killing.
Nxumalo had reportedly opposed Felokwakhe’s alleged illegal sale of Ingonyama Trust land earmarked for community development.
From left former Sergeant Bonginkosi Dlamini, Sibongile Ndlovu, her husband Felokwakhe Ndlovu, former Political Killings Task Team member, Lieutenant Colonel Khephu Ndlovu, and the couple's son Lindokuhle Mbonambi at Pinetown Regional Court on Tuesday morning during their sentencing.
Image: NOMONDE ZONDI
Handing down sentence, Magistrate Muntukayise Khumalo said there were no exceptional circumstances warranting leniency.
“This court is not persuaded that compelling circumstances exist. The aggravating factors far outweigh the mitigating factors,” he said.
He sharply criticised the former officers for betraying the public trust, saying they interfered with witnesses and undermined the integrity of the justice system despite knowing a life had been lost.
The magistrate also raised alarm over evidence that a State witness, Piti Langa, was killed after implicating Felokwakhe, and that another key witness was allegedly threatened with the same fate if they refused to cooperate.
“This raises serious questions about how many people may have been killed to protect accused number three (Felokwakhe),” Khumalo said.
All five were declared unfit to possess firearms. Felokwakhe’s 17-year sentence will run concurrently with the life sentence he is already serving for Nxumalo’s murder.