By Mashamba Media
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Pretoria High Court has sentenced a hit man Sibusiso Mtshali (29), from Vosloorus, to two life terms for 2 counts of premeditated murder, 15 years for 3 counts of attempted murder, 6 years for possession of a firearm and 3 years for possession of ammunition.
Judge Joseph Masopa ordered that the sentences should run concurrently with that of two life terms.
On 19 May 2019, a taxi businessman, Convency Lawrences Twalawa was at his home in Zithobeni Bronkhorstspruit, with four of his friends when Mtshali and two unknown accomplices arrived and started to fire several shots at them and left.
Twala was shot dead on the scene, Kagiso Zachariah Rampou died in the hospital, and two other victims sustained gunshot wounds.
NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said Mtshali was arrested on 24 March 2022 at Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court where he was appearing on a separate matter of murder and has been in custody since after the NPA successfully opposed his release on bail.
“In court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. During mitigation of sentence through his attorney Mtshali asked the court to consider his age when imposing the sentence and further asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence.
“However, in aggravation, prosecutor Advocate Sipho Lalane, argued that Mtshali showed no remorse for his actions, he had ample time to change his mind while driving from Johannesburg to Bronkhorspruit but did not. He killed one of the deceased at the comfort of his home.
“Therefore, he asked the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment. Adv Lalane also read into the record the victim impact statements facilitated by the court preparation officer Lebogang Lebese, where families of the victims and victims indicated how the offences emotionally, physically and psychologically affected them. As such, one of the victim’s legs had to be amputated because of the incident,” said Mahanjana.
When handing down the sentence, Judge Masopa agreed with the state that Mtshali showed no remorse for his crimes. Furthermore, he said courts were the only hope for society as this crime of contract murder is rife in the country, therefore, courts must find a way to deal with them.
Mahanjana added that the NPA welcomed the sentence.