23 September 2022
Mrs Thembisa Zulu from Embalenhle and her co-accused, Seetsa David Mofokeng and Mojalefa Christopher Matsobane were sentenced by the Delmas High Court on Thursday, 22 September 2022.
According to the Mpumalanga Hawks Spokesperson, Capt Dineo Sekgotodi all the accused were each sentenced to life imprisonment for murder whereas Mofokeng further received five years for unlawful possession of a firearm and three years for unlawful possession of ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently.
They were additionally declared unfit to possess firearms.
The sentence followed the incident which happened on 4 July 2011 at about 04:00 am where the deceased, Devilier Dan Zulu who was a taxi owner was shot in front of his gate at Extension 15 Embalenhle.
The case of murder was registered and assigned to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Secunda for further probe.
During the intelligence-driven investigation, it was established that the wife of the deceased hired two hitmen, Mofokeng and Matsobane who ambushed the deceased in his residence.
It was further established that on that day, the deceased alerted the wife of his arrival while he was at the gate.
When the gate opened, the hitmen fatally wounded the victim and fled the scene.
A thorough investigation led to the arrest of the hitmen on 2 September 2016 and the evidential information further led to the arrest of the wife of the deceased on 19 September 2016.
The accused were out on R5000 bail each.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena appreciated the investigating officer for his endurance to ensure that the accused faced the full might of the law.
“The release of the accused on bail did not deter the investigating officer on his goal of a successful prosecution and I also applaud the Judiciary on such a decisive judgment,” she said.
