We welcome the double life sentence handed down by the Pietermaritzburg High Court to hitman Sabelo Phewa.
Sabelo Phewa was convicted of the murder of Sibusiso Sithole who was a Municipal Manager for the Richmond Local municipality.
Sithole was shot and killed at the Richmond Licensing office in 2017 while on his way to attend a meeting with the then council to discuss issues he was investigating.
He was at the time investigating fraud and corruption involving tenders and kickbacks in the municipality.
The SAPS Political Killings task team took over investigations in 2018 and this led to the arrest of Sabelo Phewa. The firearm found in his possession at the time of his arrest was found to be linked to several other murders including that of Amos Ngcobo whose wife had ordered his hit. The wife turned state witness and was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Yesterday 9 December, Sabelo Phewa was sentenced as follows:
Murder of Municipal Manager Sibusiso Sithole – Life Imprisonment
Murder of Amos Ngcobo – Life Imprisonment
Attempted murder of police officers at the time when they were effecting his arrest – 5 years imprisonment.
Possession of an unlicensed firearm – 15 years imprisonment.
Unlawful possession of ammunition – 5 years imprisonment.