In Emalahleni, South Africa, two men were convicted of murder and robbery and given life in jail plus an additional 15 years. The homeowner was shot and killed during the robbery.
Khulufelo Makhudu (age 24) and Gift "Five Minutes" Mbola (age 28) were found guilty and given life sentences and 15 years in prison on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, for the premeditated murder of Petrus Cornelius Swanepoel and aggravated robbery committed in 2019.
On August 28, 2019, the two individuals broke into the victim's home in Klipfontein, eMalahleni, and discovered the victim's wife in the kitchen with her 5-year-old grandson.
They took the grandson, placed him in the oven, and then began tying her up while shooting her in the face. They also stole a gun, jewelry, two plasma TVs, three phones, and two cellphones.
They encountered Cornelius Swanepoel on their way out, told him to lay down, and then shot him to death. The victim's car was later discovered abandoned close to Kusile Power Station after they fled in it.
After their fingerprints were discovered on the victims' abandoned car, the couple was taken into custody. State prosecutor Maureen Nkosi-Mahlangu presented testimony from the witness who purchased the victim's stolen goods as well as the evidence of the victim who is still alive.
The witness who drove the suspect to retrieve the victims' stolen property from the bush where they had stashed it corroborated their testimony.
Court Preparation Officer Musa Mkhatshwa assisted the surviving victim in compiling a victim impact statement, which was then submitted in court.
She said in her statement that a gunshot wound caused her eye socket to be closed. Since the tragedy, her grandson has been affected and unable to cope. She added that her husband was the family's primary provider and that she is currently in danger of losing her home since she is unable to make the mortgage payments.
The accused was found guilty as charged by Magistrate Combrink. He gave them each a life sentence for one count of murder and 15 years for each count of robbery and aggravating factors. In accordance with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, both accused were deemed unfit to own a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority expressed its appreciation to the prosecutor and the investigating team for a job well done and appreciated the sentence given to the defendant.
According to Monica Nyuswa, regional spokeswoman for the NPA, "We hope that this sentence will serve as a deterrent to those who are planning to commit any offense, especially violent crimes."
