Three brothers sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in Emcitsheni

Brothers Zenzele Vincent Zwane, 29, Mthandeni Zwane, 23, and Lindani Zwane, 31, were sentenced at the Ezakheni Regional Court in KwaZulu-Natal to a term of life imprisonment each for the murder they committed in September 2022 in the Emcitsheni area.

On the day of the incident, Zenzele was informed by his sister that the deceased, Simphiwe Innocent Zondo, 24, had stolen from their home. She said she saw Mr Zondo carrying the stolen goods, said Ms Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

“Thereafter Zenzele and his two brothers (Mthandeni and Lindani) went in search of Zondo. They found him and then took him to his house to look for the stolen items. Zondo’s family members were present in the house. When they did not find the stolen goods, the brothers took Zondo back to their home where they beat him with a sjambok (whip) and other items,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.

“They did this in the presence of their sister. The following day, Zondo was found dead about 200 metres away from the Zwane’s home. The cause of his death was a head injury as well as injuries caused by a sjambok.”

The brothers fled the area and were arrested six months later after police traced them.

In court, Prosecutor Zandile Nhlapho-Mthembu led the testimony of Zwane’s sister, as well as the testimonies of various members of Mr Zondo’s family. The state relied on circumstantial evidence. In addition, Ms Nhlapho-Mthembu handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Mr Zondo’s family and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Khulekani Professor Mthembu.

In their statement, the family said that Mr Zondo was a helpful and caring person who helped his ailing grandmother. The brothers were sentenced to a term of life imprisonment each, and the court declared them unfit to possess a firearm.

“The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter, and we commend the work done by the prosecution and the police. Members of the public are discouraged from taking the law into their own hands. They should seek the assistance of law enforcement authorities instead,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.