The Mthatha High court has sentenced four men implicated in a string of crimes, including the killing of five police officers, to life in prison.

Andani Monco (36), Kwanele Ndlwana (28), Siphosomzi Tshefu and Phumzile Mhlatywa (51) were sentenced on Wednesday.

They were each sentenced for five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, numerous counts of the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, numerous counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking with an intent to commit an offence.

Their co-accused Siphesihle Tatsi has since been sentenced to an effective 18 years direct imprisonment as some counts in his collective 241 years-sentence run concurrently after pleading guilty on 27 July 2023.

On 21 February 2018, five police officials who were attached to the Engcobo police station were killed and robbed of their firearms.

The police station was attacked, firearms and ammunition robbed and a police van was robbed as well. The accused further attempted to bomb a C
apitec Bank ATM.

‘Responding to information received Monco, Ndlwana, Tshefu, Mhlatywa and Tatsi who belonged to the Mancoba Seven Angels church were arrested and seven were killed during the shootout with police a few days after the horrific police murder incident. The accused were remanded in custody since their arrest,’ said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in a statement on Wednesday.

After the sentencing of Tatsi on 27 July 2023, the remaining four opted for the trial route hence their conviction on 17 May 2024.

Sentencing was remanded several times until 16 October 2024 when the Mthatha High Court sentenced them as follows:

– Andani Monco (36) with some counts running concurrently, will effectively serve 35 years direct imprisonment.

– Phumzile Mhlatywa (51) also with some counts running concurrently will effectively serve 25 years direct imprisonment,

– Kwanele Ndlwana (28) and Siphosomzi Tshefu (age not known) will each serve 40 years direct imprisonment sentence.

All the
effective sentences for each accused will run concurrently with the five life sentences.

The sentencing of the four accused was welcomed by the Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya as it sends a stern warning to the would-be perpetrators.

Source: South African Government News Agency