| Four terms of life imprisonment plus 80 years in jail for a man who killed an Induna and three other people | |
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| Date Published: | 2026/02/18 |
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Media Statement DURBAN - On Tuesday, 17 February 2026 the Madadeni High Court sentenced Lindokuhle Mbatha (37) to four (4) terms of life imprisonment for murder and a further eighty years (80) in jail for cases of attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The sentencing follows a brutal and senseless attack that occurred at the Mahlaba homestead on the evening of Sunday, 14 January 2024 at Madlangeni area under the Charlestown policing precinct. On that fateful night a suspect entered the home of Mrs Mhlaba and opened fire on those who were inside the house. Mrs Lucia Mahlaba (42), who was a local induna, was fatally wounded. Her 22-year-old son Thando Mahlaba, her neighbour Mrs Shonaphi Mbhatha (50) and her son's friend Ayanda Zikhali (19) also lost their lives during the attack. One person managed to escape the shooting and called for help. Some neighbours who came to assist were also shot at and they sustained injuries. Cases of murder and attempted murder were registered at Charlestown police station and were investigated by the Amajuba District Task Team. Within two days of investigation, the investigating team arrested Lindokuhle Mbatha and recovered an AK47 assault rifle. The bail application of Mbatha was successfully opposed in court. A second suspect was also arrested in connection with this incident but later died whilst still in custody. Ballistics tests conducted on an AK47 recovered during the arrest of Mbatha was positively linked to the murder scene in Charlestown. Mbatha's trial was heard at the Madadeni High Court, and during the trial, the defence failed to rebut the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution. This was indicative of the sterling detective work by the team of investigators from Amajaba District Task Team. Lindokuhle Mbatha was subsequently found guilty and convicted on eleven counts. On Tuesday, 17 February 2026 the Madadeni High Court sentenced him to four life terms in prison for murder, an accumulative fifty (50) years for five counts of attempted murder, fifteen (15) years for armed robbery and a further fifteen (15) years' imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm. Ends
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