Two men who gunned down Durban taxi driver, Nkosikhona Ngcobo in July 2022, were handed a life sentence this week in the Durban Regional Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the sentencing of Mfanafuthi Madlala,40, and Sifiso Sokhulu, 44.
They were sentenced for the murder of 36-year-old Ngcobo.
NPA spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the murder took place on July 10, 2022 in the Effingham area.
"The deceased was driving his taxi out of the taxi rank on Ramcharan Road in Effingham, when he was accosted by the men.
"They were armed and fired shots at him, shooting him six times.
"Ngcobo tried to drive off, but he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a nearby house. The incident was witnessed by one of Ngcobo’s friends who was driving behind him."
The NPA said following the shooting, Sokhulu was spotted in the crowd when the police arrived at the scene.
"One of the bystanders recognised him and they informed the police. Sokhulu was arrested immediately, in possession of his firearm, while Madlala was arrested the following day."
The NPA said during court proceedings State Prosecutor, Carlson Govender, led eyewitness testimonies and ballistic evidence.
"The bullets recovered from Ngcobo’s body matched with Sokhulu’s firearm."
In aggravation of sentence the State led the testimony of Ngcobo’s girlfriend, who is Madlala’s ex-girlfriend.
"The woman told the court that while she dated him, Madlala was physically abusive, and she had obtained a protection order against him, eventually leaving him. She said that he had threatened to kill her and Ngcobo on numerous occasions after he became aware of their relationship with each other."
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