The Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court sentenced ruthless hitman Phathisakhe Thuthukani Ngiba(28) to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of murdering ANC ward councillor in kwaMaphumulo in 2022.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe,SAPS National Spokesperson confirmed that the SAPS Political Task Team has registered another conviction after a 28-year-old hitman,Phathisakhe Thuthukani Ngiba(28) was sentenced to life imprisonment.
She mentioned that Ngiba has been in custody since 2022 after he was arrested for the murder of ANC ward councillor Zakhele Shezi Khuzwayo who was attached to the kwaMaphumulo Municipality.
She stated that Khuzwayo was killed while he was sitting in his car and the case of his murder was investigated by a task team that is specialising in the political killings in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
"Khuzwayo was shot and killed on 15 September 2022 while sitting in his vehicle.Members of the SAPS Political Task Team investigated the case which led to the arrest of Ngiba,"said Brigadier Mathe.
The matter of Ngiba was heard before the Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court and he was sentenced on Friday after he was found guilty on three out of four charges.
He was found not guilty on count 1 for conspiracy to commit murder; on count 2 was found guilty for murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment; on count 3 was found guilty for possession of unlicensed firearm and was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment;and on count 4 was found guilty for possession of unlicensed ammunition and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
Brigadier Mathe revealed that Ngiba is also an accused in a matter where ANC candidate Cllr Siyabonga Mkhize and ANC member Mzukisi Nyanga were shot in Cator Crest.The matter is currently on trial.
She also mention that the SAPS Political Task Team has succeeded on convicting the murderer of former ANC Youth League leader which was killed in 2019.
"Two weeks ago,the political task team secured the conviction of former ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa's killer to 25 years' imprisonment.
Since July 2018,more than 130 accused were sentenced for various crimes linked to murders and attacks of councillors which were proven to be politically related.This number includes hitmen and hit orders,"concluded Brigadier Mathe.