A 24-year-old man sentenced to three life terms and 86 years for robbery and murder

The Durban High Court has sentenced Mr Bongumusa Siphesihle Radebe, to three terms of life and 86 years imprisonment for the crime spree of murders, attempted murders, and robberies he committed between December 2020 and June 2022 in the Umlazi area.

Mr Radebe, 24, acted with an accomplice who is still at large, said regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Ms Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

“During his reign of terror, Radebe shot dead three men: Loyiso Shabalala, Mthobisi Shibase and Sthembiso Njapha, and robbed them of their cellphones. Radebe was known to his victims as he lived in the same area as they did. In some instances, the people who were with the deceased were also attacked and robbed. Radebe was eventually arrested in February 2023, in the Amaoti area in Inanda. At the time he was driving a stolen motor vehicle. He was found in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.

In court, Advocate Mr Bonginkosi Nelson Mbokazi led the testimonies of witnesses and ballistic evidence. Cellphone records also formed part of the state’s case further. Mr Mbokazi submitted Victim Impact Statements, compiled by the deceased’s family members and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Ms Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng. In the statements, they said that they were traumatised by the deaths, as Mr Radebe was known to them. They said the deceased were young people who supported their families.

“Radebe was sentenced as follows: one term of life imprisonment for each of the three counts of murder, 15 years imprisonment for each of the three counts of attempted murder, 15 years imprisonment for each of the two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one year imprisonment for having the stolen motor vehicle, and 10 years imprisonment for the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition (both taken as one for sentence). Radebe will serve an effective term of life imprisonment and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.

Ms Ramkisson-Kara added that the NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of the matter. The offences are serious, the like of which will not be tolerated by the courts, she added. The NPA also commended the work done by the prosecution, investigating officer and other stakeholders in securing the conviction.