Media Statement from KwaZulu Natal Media Centre

Corporate Communication

South African Police Service

1 November 2013  

Senzo Mkhize (31) and Sphiwe Mkhize (37) were each convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mtubatuba High Court eight years after the murder of Velephi Dlamini (71) at Maphumulo area.

On Sunday 27 May 2005 the deceased, Velaphi Dlamini was at home at Mbitane area in Maphumulo when he was approached by the two accused. The men stabbed him several times on the body accusing him of being involved in witchcraft in the area. He died instantly and the accused fled the scene of foot. His body was found by his family the next day. A case of murder was opened at Maphumulo police station and after meticulous investigation; the two accused were arrested two days later and were charged with murder. They appeared in court and were released on bail. On 30 October 2013 they were convicted for murder by the Mtubatuba High Court. 

The Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended police from Maphumulo for the sterling work that led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused. She appeal to the community not to take the law into their own hands and stated that those who do will face the full might of the law. "We are not going to tolerate such crimes especially where our elderly are being killed and will ensure that those that are responsible will be brought to book," she said.       

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Colonel Jay Naicker

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KwaZulu-Natal: Media Centre

South African Police Service

Corporate Communication

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