The Durban High Court convicted and sentenced three accused, Sihle Mchunu (25), Sibusiso Mathaba (26) and Mfihlakalo Zibisi (29) for the kidnapping and murder of Sipho Vusi Sithole (47) in July 2018.
On 15 July 2018, Sithole’s daughter arrived at her home in Groutville and found the house ransacked. She could not find her father. She reported the matter to KwaDukuza police and a missing person’s inquiry was opened for investigation.
A week later, Sithole’s vehicle was found abandoned in the area and his body was found in the Uthukela river. The missing person’s enquiry was immediately changed to kidnapping and murder. Following a rigorous investigation the investigating officer arrested three suspects a few weeks later. He was convinced that he had gathered enough evidence to secure a conviction.
The accused remained in detention throughout the trial. Mchunu and Mathaba were each sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for murder and five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping. Zibisi was sentenced to 20 year’ imprisonment for murder and five year’ imprisonment for kidnapping.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
