Glebelands Hostel Latest: Killer gets two life sentences for murders

Glebelands Hostel killer, Senzo Sihle Cele, has been sentenced in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to two life sentences and 48 years imprisonment following his conviction on four counts of murder and unlawful possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

The murder convictions are in connection with the murder of Simphiwe Ndebele in July 2018. 

“Ndebele was shot and killed at the Glebelands hostel after an argument with Cele. The second murder was of Siyabonga Mbhele in August 2018 at KwaMnyandu taxi rank,” National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Kara said.

Cele was also convicted of the double murder of Joseph Nqaba Mbhele and Senzo Luthuli in October 2018. They were also shot and killed at KwaMnyandu taxi rank.

All of the victims died of multiple gunshot wounds at the crime scenes

Cele was arrested in mid-October 2018 when police officers of the K9 dog unit pursued a vehicle that was driving recklessly in the Umlazi area. 

“They discovered that the driver was Cele and upon arrest he was found in possession of a prohibited firearm, the serial number of which was filed off, and several rounds of ammunition,”

The State Advocate, Dan Magwaza led the testimonies of eye witnesses and ballistic evidence – and the gun he was arrested with linked him to the Glebelands Hostel murders.

“Cele was sentenced to life imprisonment for the first and second murder counts of Ndebele and Mbhele. He received 15 years imprisonment each for the murder of Joseph Mbhele and Luthuli. He was further sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm and 3 years imprisonment for the possession of the ammunition,” Kara said.

Director of  Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, Adv Elaine Zungu welcomed the sentence.

“The successful finalisation of this matter is indeed welcomed. There has been a huge outcry from the public at large for the NPA to deliver on its prosecutorial mandate and deal with these violent matters, especially those emanating from the Glebelands area. Commendations to both the prosecution and police who tirelessly worked in finalising this matter,” Zungu said.