A gang who stormed an Eastern Cape police station in 2018 and opened fire on a group of police officers, killing five of them have received hefty sentences.
Four of the five suspects received life sentences in the Mthatha High Court on Wednesday.
Andani Monco, 36, Kwanele Ndlwana, 28, Siphosomzi Tshefu, Phumzile Mhlatywa, 51, were convicted on five counts of murder.
Their co-accused Siphesihle Tatsi is currently serving an 18 year prison sentence after pleading guilty in July 2023. He was sentenced to a total of 241 years in jail.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) on February 21, 2018, five police officials who were attached to Engcobo police station were killed.
They were also robbed of their firearms.
The five policeman were identified as Warrant Officer Zuko Mbini, 45, Constable Zuku Ntsheku, 38, Constable Nkosiphendule Pongco, 32, Constable Sibongiseni Sodlana, 32, and Constable Kuhle Metete, 27.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the accused stormed the police station, stole firearms, ammunition and a police vehicle.
“The accused further attempted to bomb a Capitec Bank Automatic Teller Machines (ATM).”
The tragedy made international headlines at the time.
A few days after the murder incident, police received information that the accused were members of the Mancoba Seven Angels church.
Monco, Ndlwana, Tshefu , Mhlatywa and Tatsi who belonged to the Mancoba Seven Angels church were arrested.
Seven suspects were killed during a shootout with police.
The Hawks said the killers remained behind bars until the finalisation of their trial.
In addition to murder, the four men were convicted on charges of attempted murder, numerous counts of possession of unlicensed of firearms and ammunition, numerous counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking.
Monco will serve an effective 35 years direct imprisonment.
Mhlatywa will effectively serve 25 years direct imprisonment,
Ndlwana and Tshefu will each serve 40 years direct imprisonment sentence.
“All the effective sentences for each accused will run concurrently with the five life sentences.”
IOL News