By Kopano Dibakwane
Mthokozisi Phillip Masondo(36) was sentenced by the Standerton Regional Court to 15 years imprisonment for murder, on Wednesday 17 April 2024.
According to a statement released by Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, it was revealed during court proceedings that Masondo shot and killed Bonginkosi Prince Nzimande(27) in the early hours of 12 December 2017 following a heated argument between the two men.
Masondo was reportedly in the company of his friends when he shot the deceased three times with his licensed firearm. Nzimande was reportedly certified dead on the scene by paramedics.
“ A murder case was opened and an investigation was conducted. Masondo was traced and arrested by members of the South African Police Service(SAPS) in Standerton. The accused was brought to court and the state presented a watertight case against him, hence he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment,” said Mdhluli.
Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-General Semakaleng Manamela, welcomed the sentence and thanked the Investigation and the Prosecution teams as well as the Judiciary for their efforts which lead to the eventual sentence.
“ We hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrence to others who might consider emulating the conduct of the accused,”said Manamela.
