When Nomphumelelo Patricia Goncalves tried to end her troubled relationship, she sought the help of Nkosinathi Steve Zungu whom she asked to kidnap and murder her partner.
The Durban High Court has sentenced Zungu, 37, and Goncalves, 28, to life and 30 years imprisonment following their conviction for the kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and murder they committed in September 2020.
Goncalves was sentenced to a further eight years imprisonment for two counts of defeating the course of justice, said Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“Goncalves and the deceased (her partner), Nkosi Timmy Langa, lived together in Pinetown, Durban. They were experiencing problems in their relationship and at some point, before the incident, Goncalves sought the assistance of Zungu to kidnap and murder Langa,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
“Zungu then enlisted the assistance of their co-accused, James Mthimkulu, and together they planned Langa’s kidnapping and murder. Goncalves offered a sum of money and Langa’s motor vehicle for the murder.”
On September 29, 2020, the two men and other assailants travelled to Mr Langa’s house and lay in wait as arranged. Following a signal from Goncalves, they entered the home and accosted Mr Langa.
“They forced him into his vehicle and drove off with him, leaving Goncalves at the house. Langa was forced to give them his ATM PIN code and ATM card and they withdrew cash from various ATMs. They then drove to the Ozwathini area, where they killed Langa and disposed of his body. Throughout this time Goncalves maintained communication with the others awaiting news of Langa’s death. Goncalves then reported him missing,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
She added that the men gave the vehicle to another person to help them sell it. The accused were arrested following the recovery of Mr Langa’s vehicle. The person who received the vehicle had to tell police how he had received the vehicle. Mr Langa’s remains were recovered almost two months after his murder. Of the accused, Mthimkulu opted to plead guilty and did so in December 2020. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
In court, the state, represented by Advocate Krishen Shah, maintained that except for the two counts of defeating the course of justice, the accused had acted in the furtherance of a common purpose to commit the offences.
“Shah led the evidence of the SAPS officials, the person who received the vehicle from the accused as well as vehicle tracker, CCTV, cellphone, and bank record evidence. Shah also submitted a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Langa’s family members,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
“The family described the agony they have been through following Langa’s disappearance and the further trauma they experienced as they waited for DNA confirmation that the remains found belonged to him.”
Zungu and Goncalves were each sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping, and 20 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Goncalves was sentenced to a further eight years imprisonment for the two counts of defeating the course of justice (both counts taken as one for sentencing). They were also declared unfit to possess a firearm, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
