In August 2019, Ayanda Siyanda Mshengu shot and killed Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) ward councillor Mthembeni Excellent Majola and Sithembiso Promise Mahlinza in Escourt. On Thursday (October 19) the Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced Mshengu to an effective 25 years in prison for the two murders and the attempted murder of Mr Majola’s minor nephew.
Mr Majola was a ward councillor for the local branch of the IFP in Estcourt. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Ms Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the party was divided into two opposing factions and there was animosity between the factions.
“Majola was the leader of one of the factions, and members of the opposing faction wanted him dead. There had been previous attempts on his life which had rendered him a paraplegic,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
“On the day of the incident Majola was driving on the R105 highway in the Estcourt area and he was accompanied by his minor nephew, and Sithembiso Promise Mahlinza. At some point in their journey a car pulled up alongside their vehicle and the occupants, Mshengu being one of them, fired at Majola's vehicle killing him and Mahlinza. They died of multiple gunshot wounds and Mshengu was arrested after police traced him in Soweto,” she added.
In court, advocates Lawrence Gcaba, Elvis Gcweka and Nhlanhla Shange represented the state. They led the evidence of the police officials who arrested Mshengu as well as the confession he had made upon his arrest.
Even though Mshengu later denied the confession and pointed it out in court, the state-led evidence convinced the court to accept his evidence. The evidence of Mr Majola’s nephew was also led. The state handed in Victim Impact Statements compiled by Majola’s loved ones and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Ms Mbalenhle Valencia Komane.
Victim impact statements, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara, mentioned that Mr Majola had been a kind and generous person who took care of his family as well as members of the community.
“They said that his death had left a void in their lives. Mshengu was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for Majola’s murder, 20 years imprisonment for Mahlinza’s murder and five years imprisonment for the attempted murder of Majola’s nephew.
“The court deviated from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment for the murders as the court believed that Mshengu showed remorse by making the initial confession. Since the sentences will run concurrently, he will serve an effective 25-year imprisonment,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
She added that political killings were rife in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and that they hoped that sentences of this nature would deter like-minded individuals.