Two men sentenced to life imprisonment for triple murder
The Sebokeng Regional Court in Gauteng sentenced to life imprisonment Patrick Mphindeli Mkhwanazi (39) and William Mbuyiswa (29), both from Evaton in Gauteng.
The pair was each sentenced to life imprisonment on three counts of murder and 15 years’ direct imprisonment for attempted murder.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said
in the early hours of 22 February 2023, Mkhwanazi and Mbuyiswa went to one of the deceased’s places of residence in Evaton.
On arrival, they found four men, they then had an altercation with them accusing the four men of stealing Mkhwanazi’s drugs and firearm.
“During the argument, Mkhwanazi and Mbuyiswa began to assault the four men with a panga and other unknown weapons, resulting in three men dying on the scene and one man being injured. Neighbours who heard the argument called the police, and both Mkhwanazi and Mbuyiswa were arrested on the scene, and the injured man was taken to the hospital. Mkhwanazi and Mbuyiswa have been in custody since the NPA successfully opposed their bail applications.
“During the trial, both men pleaded not guilty and denied committing the offences. However, State Prosecutor Vusi Mbabane presented compelling evidence that proved their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In mitigation of sentence, the defence submitted that both men were first offenders, relatively young, and employed, and requested the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence,” she said.
Mahanjana said the State argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting such a deviation.
” Prosecutor Mbabane submitted that both men had shown no remorse for their actions and had brutally attacked the victims based solely on unsubstantiated suspicions. He further argued that the offences violated the victims’ constitutional right to life and that society expected a sentence that would serve as a strong deterrent to others.
“In sentencing, the Magistrate agreed with the State’s submissions, finding that both men had shown no remorse and had committed exceptionally violent offences that are prevalent in communities across the country. The court held that, despite their youthfulness, the seriousness of the crimes warranted their removal from society to protect innocent members of the public. Accordingly, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a lesser sentence and imposed the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment,” she said.
