KEY POINTS
- Two men sentenced for 2022 murders of Boksburg officers and CPF member.
- Additional 59 years added for related crimes, including attempted murder.
- Court’s decision provides justice for victims’ families and community.
Two individuals were given three life sentences apiece by the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday for the murders of a CPF member and two police officers.
Johannesburg court convicts two men for Boksburg police killings
Savenore Sihle Ntuli, 29, and Njiki Hlulani Mabuza, 31, were also given 59 more years for attempted murder and related offenses.
Phindi Mjonondwane, a spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, confirmed that the males were charged with aggravated assault, firearm possession, and robbery in Boksburg.
The two accused CPF member Tommy Masuku of working with law enforcement and attacked him in an informal settlement in July 2022.
They attacked police officers who were removing a body later in October 2022, killing Vusimusi Innocent Batsha and Phillip Kgotso Malahlela at the spot.
Authorities revealed that the deceased’s girlfriend suffered lasting inside damage when the perpetrators shot her twice and took police guns.
Convictions bring closure to families of slain officers and CPF member
Mabuza was apprehended by police in Boksburg for carrying an unauthorized pistol, which resulted in information being given to Warrant Officer Jonathan Phume.
Ntuli was subsequently caught in Makwakwa when he opened fire on a cab driver while brandishing a gun that had been taken from one of the officers.
According to timeslive, Zarina Pack, a senior state counsel, stressed that the murders were planned assassinations meant to sabotage police work rather than being arbitrary.
In order to provide justice and preserve the rule of law, the court determined that severe punishment was necessary due to the seriousness of the crimes.
