Political violence has cast a long shadow over Northern KwaZulu-Natal, with councillors in various towns becoming targets of ruthless hitmen.
However, a significant breakthrough in the fight against such violence was marked by the Pietermaritzburg High Court, which sentenced Ayanda Siyanda Mshengu to 25 years imprisonment.
Mshengu was convicted for his involvement in two murders and one attempted murder, all of which took place in the Estcourt area in August 2019.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), shed light on the case. She revealed that one of the victims, Mthembeni Excellent Majola, had been a ward councillor for the local branch of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in Estcourt.
Elaborating further, she explained, “The party was divided into two opposing factions and there was animosity between the factions. Majola was the leader of one of the factions, and members of the opposing faction wanted him dead.” Ramkisson-Kara also noted that prior attempts had been made on Majola’s life, leaving him a paraplegic.
Tragically, on the fateful day of his murder, Majola was driving on the R105 highway in Estcourt, accompanied by his minor nephew and Sithembiso Promise Mahlinza.
Their journey took a dark turn when a vehicle pulled up alongside theirs, and one of the occupants, Ayanda Siyanda Mshengu, opened fire.
This vicious attack claimed the lives of Majola and Mahlinza, both succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds. Mshengu was later arrested in Soweto after a police investigation.
During the subsequent court proceedings, Advocates Lawrence Gcaba, Elvis Gcweka, and Nhlanhla Shange represented the state. According to Ramkisson-Kara, they presented the evidence of the police officers involved in Mshengu’s arrest and the confession he made at that time.
She stated, “Even though Mshengu later denied the confession and pointed it out in court, the state-led evidence convinced the court to accept his evidence. The evidence of the Majola’s nephew was also led. The state handed in Victim Impact Statements compiled by Majola’s loved ones and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Mbalenhle Valencia Komane.”
These statements highlighted Majola’s kindness and generosity, underscoring how he cared for his family and community members, and that his tragic death left a void in their lives.
As a result, Mshengu received a 25 year prison sentence for Majola’s murder, a 20 year sentence for Mahlinza’s murder, and a 5 year sentence for the attempted murder of Majola’s nephew. The court departed from the minimum life imprisonment sentence for murder, citing Mshengu’s initial confession as a sign of remorse. Therefore, the sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 25 year imprisonment.
Concluding, Ramkisson-Kara expressed the NPA’s approval of the sentence and commended the successful collaboration between the Prosecution and the Political Task Team. She emphasised, “Political killings are rife in KZN, and we hope that sentences of this nature will deter like minded individuals. The NPA and its partners are determined to bring perpetrators to account for their actions.”
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