The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula applauded the investigating officer after a former South African Defence Force soldier was sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime spree that led to the loss of an innocent life.
“It is was very disappointing for us to arrest a member of the security forces however we have always maintained that no one is above the law. The investigating officer must be commended for ensuring that the accused faces the full might of law for his dreadful deeds. We hope that we have brought some sort of comfort for the family that was left devastated by the accused’s deeds,” he stated.
Thembinkosi American Ngcobo, 27 was sentenced at the Durban High Court on Friday, 28 February 2020 after he went on a shooting spree in January 2017. Ngcobo drove from the Northern Cape to Inanda looking for his girlfriend. When he reached her homestead at Inanda, he found her sisters and aunt on the premises however his girlfriend was not at home.
He opened fire on his girlfriend’s relatives killing her 22-year-old sister and injuring another.
He drove to Ntuzuma looking for his girlfriend where he had abducted a relative who he robbed of a cell phone. When police officers arrived at the scene after being alerted by the distraught family the accused opened fire on them. A manhunt was launched after he went on the run from authorities.
He was later arrested and police seized a R4 rifle as well as ammunition from him. The accused remained in custody throughout the trial.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder; 10 years imprisonment each on twelve counts of attempted murder; 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances; 15 years imprisonment for kidnapping and 15 years imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm as well as five years imprisonment for possession of ammunition.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
