The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga has welcomed the sentence handed down to Freeman Thulani Maisena (33) and Martin Mohlala (23) by the Mbombela High Court on Friday, 04 September 2020 for murdering a police officer and her husband.
They were found guilty on all charges and were each sentenced to three life terms for murdering, the late Sergeant Thembisile Ndlovu (41), her husband, the late Jabulani Khoza (46) and the accused Mandla Sambo (35) who also died during the shoot-out with the victims.
Additionally, they were each slammed with an additional 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, a further 5-years and 3-years imprisonment for possession of firearms and ammunition, respectively.
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They were also sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for discharging of firearm in a public place.
Sergeant Ndlovu, who worked at Calcutta SAPS was asleep with her late husband Khoza at their home in Mkhuhlu Trust in December 2018.
The duo along with their accomplice broke into Sergeant Ndlovu’s home and shot at the victims who retaliated and fatally wounded one of the accused, Sambo.
Sergeant Ndlovu was also fatally wounded whilst her husband later succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.
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They fled the scene using the victim`s vehicle which was later found abandoned along the road at Mkhuhlu. The victim’s firearm was not taken.
Maisena and Mohlala were arrested on 05 January 2019 at his hiding place in Mhluzi following the probe by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
During the arrest, the convicts were found in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitions.
Major General Zodwa Mokoena, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, applauded the multi-disciplinary team for their investigation technics displayed.
“Although sergeant Ndlovu’s and her husband Khoza cannot be brought back, but we hope that their families will find solace in that the criminals will lengthy jail term” said Major General Mokoena.
