The Middelburg High Court sentenced two men to three life terms and an additional 76 years imprisonment for a gruesome Wonderfontein crime spree.
THIS GRUESOME CRIME SPREE HAPPENED IN 2019
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the crime spree was committed in Wonderfontein, in the district of Belfast,
during the period between June to August 2019.
Tumi Joseph Vuma (35), from Burgerfort and Fikson Seakga Hine (31), from Polokwane, were convicted on three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of unlawful possession of firearms, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, three counts of murder and kidnapping.
“On 25 June 2019, the accused, together with their co-accused Zweli Lukhele, embarked on a violent rampage near Wonderfontein, Belfast.
“They held up the tavern owner and his wife pointed them with firearms and assaulted them.”
THE TRIO ROBBED AND MURDERED SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE WONDERFONTEIN AREA
Nyuswa said they then demanded money and a firearm and robbed them of a firearm 9mm pistol, a firearm magazine with 15 rounds of ammunition, a safe, flat screen television set, an Opel Corsa key, alcohol, cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“In addition, on 3-4 August 2019, in Wonderfontein, the accused pretended to be asking for a lift from the deceased David Mthimunye, who was travelling in his car with Emma Sylvia Nkosi and Thomas Sibiya.”
She said along the road, the accused threatened Mthimunye with firearms and demanded his vehicle.
“They fatally shot Mthimunye and Sibiya and threatened Nkosi not to report the incident to anyone. They then drove off with the deceased ‘s vehicle until they reached Emalahleni, where they accosted another victim, Sipho Given Gumede, who was driving in his car.”
THE POLICE TRACED THE THREE AND ARRESTED THEM
The trio threatened him with firearms, forced him inside his vehicle, and drove along with him until they reached Mbheki informal settlements and before they fatally shot him.
They dumped his lifeless body near the railway line and further drove off in both vehicles to Kwaggafontein, and sold the vehicles.
Nyuswa said that through police investigation, the three accused were traced and arrested.
“In court, the two accused Vuma and Hine pleaded not guilty. Lukhele entered into a plea agreement with the state and was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment in February 2023.”
THE SENTENCES WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY
She furthermore added that the trials were separated and to prove the state case, State Advocate Gertrude Nkosi, called Lukhele to testify as a state witness.
“He testified against the accused. Post-mortem reports proving that the three victims’ cause of death was gunshot injuries were presented. Victim impact statements compiled by the deceased’s family members facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Given Mampye were presented.”
The court sentenced the accused accordingly. It ordered the sentences to run concurrently, the effective sentence being life imprisonment each. They were further declared unfit to possess firearms in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
“It can never be over-emphasised how important human life is; therefore, the National Prosecuting Authority will be vigorous in our pursuit of these cases to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers.”
Meanwhile, in other news, the Hawks busted an illicit cigarette syndicate and seized a whopping more than R30 million worth of cigarettes.
