On 18 May 2018, the Durban High Court sentenced Mxoleleni Hopeson Bhani (30) and his accomplice, Mbeko Duma (31) to life imprisonment for killing Lamontville taxi association chairman, Vela Simon Ndebele (52) on 11 June 2015.
Bhani and Duma fatally shot Ndebele whilst he was at the meeting in the community hall in Lamontville and fled. Gunmen were immediately intercepted and arrested. During the arrest, both of them were found with two pistols each and rounds of ammunition in their possession.
They were kept in custody, facing murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. They were convicted by Durban High Court judge and were each sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for possession of two unlicensed firearms and four years imprisonment for possession of ammunitions. Bhani is also serving a life term for killing Sipho Ndovela who was gunned down outside the Umlazi court in 2015.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa applauds the investigating team for securing life sentences. “We will ensure that we put all hitmen linked to Glebelands hostel and taxi related violence as well as other serious and violent crimes behind bars indefinitely.
Our investigators are working around the clock to ensure that there is peace and stability at the hostel and this sentence will bring hope to the community members that police are determined to root-out anyone who is responsible for the volatile situation,” he said.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
