On 25 July 2023, the Mtunzini High Court sentenced Nelisiwe Cebisile Magwaza (30) and Bafana Biyela (45) for murder of Warrant Officer Phiwayinkosi Magwaza (51) who was stationed at Melmoth SAPS in August 2020.
The Richards Bay based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in collaboration with Melmoth police arrested Nelisiwe who is the wife to the deceased.
Biyela was arrested in KwaMashu hostel where he was found in possession of Warrant Officer Magwaza’s service firearm.
On 27 August 2020, Warrant Officer Magwaza was in his home at KwaMagwaza Reserve in Melmoth where unknown gunmen entered his home, assaulted, shot and killed him.
The also robbed him of his service firearm and fled.
The Hawks’ investigation led to the arrest of the wife and the hitman.
Biyela was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 15 years imprisonment for illegal possession of firearm as well as ammunition.
The wife, Nelisiwe was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for murder and three years for defeating the ends of justice.
Sentences will run concurrently.
