The Ntuzuma Regional Court in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) sentenced 26-year-old Vuyani Lindokuhle Ngubane to life imprisonment plus 30 years following his conviction on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The offences were committed in July 2023 at a tavern in the Inanda area in the North of Dbn in KZN.
NPA Regional Spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that on the day of the incident, Ngubane was socialising at a tavern with friends while brandishing a firearm.
“He discharged the firearm outside the premises, injuring his hand in the process. He then re-entered the tavern seeking something to wipe the blood from his hand. At that moment, the deceased, Xolani Mkhize, entered the tavern.
“Ngubane removed Mkhize’s cap and attempted to wipe his own blood onto it, this led to an argument between the two men. Mkhize exited the tavern, but Ngubane, accompanied by a friend, followed him outside. Ngubane’s accomplice struck Mkhize on the head with a beer bottle, while Ngubane robbed him of his cellphone and fatally shot him. The two fled the scene,” she said.
Kara said Ngubane was arrested two months later in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
She said during the trial, Prosecutor Kaystree Ramsamujh led the testimonies of two eyewitnesses and presented CCTV footage capturing the incident.
“In aggravation of sentence, Ramsamujh submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by Mkhize’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Princess Mlangeni.
“In the statement, she described the devastating impact of her son’s death on the family. Mkhize was employed and the family’s breadwinner. She further expressed the family’s pain at Ngubane’s lack of remorse.
“Ngubane was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 15 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm. The court ordered that he serve an effective sentence of life imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” she said.