CAPE TOWN — The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed lengthy prison sentences handed down to three men convicted of murdering an off-duty police officer and a state witness in the Western Cape.

The convictions follow an August 2021 incident in Gugulethu where the trio hijacked and killed off-duty Wynberg police officer Sakhumzi Mbucela, before later murdering state witness Sibongiseni Yanta.

NPA Provincial Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the High Court in Cape Town sentenced 40-year-old Luzuko Yalezo to an effective 28 years’ direct imprisonment. Yalezo was convicted on multiple charges, including two counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Co-accused Mzukisi Ntetha and Athenkosi Kolanisi were also convicted on charges of murder and aggravating circumstances.

“Ntetha was sentenced to 25 years direct imprisonment for the murder and 15 years direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently,” Ntabazalila stated. “Kolanisi received 20 years direct imprisonment for the murder and 15 years direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, also running concurrently.”