In a tragic incident, one of five men accused of murdering a police officer in KwaZulu-Natal has been sentenced to 48 years in prison after pleading guilty.
The sentencing took place in the Pietermaritzburg high court on Monday.
The man, Philani Vincent Yayo, 33, faced multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, along with four accomplices.
While Yayo has been sentenced, the trial for the remaining four accused is still ongoing.
Yayo admitted to four charges, including the murder of Sgt Nkosinathi Phindokuhle Ngcobo, 41, from Richards Bay SAPS on August 27, 2021.
He also confessed to robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and ammunition.
In his plea, Yayo revealed that on the day of the incident, he was with his co-accused Njabulo Nqeku Mazibuko and Xolani Sandile Mlotshwa.
They drove to Esikhaleni to visit Siphelele Funokwakhe Gwala and Lungani Mkhize, who are also facing charges.
After arriving at Esikhaleni, they went to a tavern, where Yayo's co-accused consumed liquor. However, Yayo did not drink.
Mkhize suggested they steal firearms, leading to a plan to rob a police officer or security guard.
The accused spotted a marked police van and followed it until it parked near a homestead on a dirt road.
Yayo parked ahead of the police van and waited as the others approached the van, shooting at it.
They returned to Yayo's car, carrying items stolen from the police officer.
Yayo was arrested on September 3, 2021, and found with a pistol with a filed-off serial number.
Despite foreseeing the possibility of Ngcobo's death, he continued to be part of the plan.
As a result of his guilty plea, Yayo received a 25-year sentence for murder, 10 years for robbery, 10 years for unlawful possession of a firearm, and three years for unlawful possession of ammunition, to be served concurrently.
Meanwhile, in another news, a man has been charged with murder after he murdered his boss, and took his dead body on a road trip. See details here
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