The management of the South African Police Service welcomed the life sentence imposed on an accused for his involvement in the murder of an Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Councillor.
In April 2019, Mr Mfanzo Nzuza, an IFP Ward councillor of Ward 2 in Kranskop KZN, was gunned down at his home.
The National Political Task team in KwaZulu-Natal investigated this case of Murder and during the investigation the team arrested a suspect, Khumkani Gumede, initially for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Kranskop. The firearm, a 9mm pistol was sent for ballistic testing when it was positively linked to the murder of Councillor Nzuza.
Following further investigations the team identified Thando Chamane as a second suspect before he was tracked down to his hiding place in Orange Farm in Gauteng.
Gumede appeared in court together with Chamane and they were both denied bail to allow for the team to finalize its investigations.
Thanda Chamane was found guilty for murder, possession of prohibited firearm and ammunition and he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 13 years for possession of a prohibited firearm and 4 years for unlawful possession of ammunition.
Accused 2, Khumkani Gumede was found guilty for Possession of prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition and was sentenced to 13 years and 4 years imprisonment respectively. Gumede was acquitted on the murder charge.
The team also secured convictions of other accused such as:-
A former professional Nurse, Nokhona Mpanza who was found guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for her role in the murder of her boyfriend, Mr Nkosinathi Ngcobo, in 2017. Ngcobo was an ANC member at the Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma municipality.
Mpanza was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment of which 5 years is suspended for 5 years. Her co-accused Mr Zamani Cele awaits his fate while the trial continues.
In another matter, Mfanafuthi Zulu at the Durban Regional Court was sentenced to an effective 10 years imprisonment for his role in the murder of the ANC youth league member of Umlazi region Mr Bongani Mhlongo.
The Political Task Team in KZN continues striving for justice in these politically related crimes.
