NATIONAL NEWS - The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the double life sentence handed down by the Pietermaritzburg High Court to hitman Sabelo Phewa.

Phewa was convicted of the murder of Sibusiso Sithole, who was a Municipal Manager for the Richmond Local Municipality.

According to the police, Sithole was shot and killed at the Richmond licensing office in 2017 while on his way to attend a meeting with the then council to discuss issues he was investigating.

He was at the time investigating fraud and corruption involving tenders and kickbacks in the municipality.

The SAPS Political Killings task team took over investigations in 2018 and this led to the arrest of Phewa. 

“The firearm found in his possession at the time of his arrest was found to be linked to several other murders, including that of Amos Ngcobo, whose wife had ordered his hit. The wife turned State witness and was sentenced to five years imprisonment,” the South African Police Service said in a statement.

Today, Phewa was sentenced as follows: murder of Sithole - life imprisonment; murder of Ngcobo - life imprisonment; attempted murder of police officers at the time when they were effecting his arrest - five years imprisonment; possession of an unlicensed firearm - 15 years imprisonment, and unlawful possession of ammunition - five years imprisonment.

“Well done to the SAPS political killings task team for cracking this case and ensuring a lengthy conviction for the hitman. Through this case, we were able to link and solve other cases such as the murder of Amos Ngcobo.  

“The number of life sentences secured by the task team is now more than 30 life sentences secured for several hitmen and [those who order hits]. May [the team] continue to provide answers and closure to other families,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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