A married Police Constable sentenced for murder of two lovers out of jealousy

The IPID `s investigation into a double murder case of Ms Lindeni Sengwayo 24 years and her boyfriend Mr Alpheos Mike Magagule 33 years whom died at the hands of Police Constable Edwell Makhubela led to a successful conviction. A married 36 year old Constable Makhubele who is stationed at Graskop SAPS in Mpumalanga shot and killed two lovers with his service pistol out of jealousy. The incident took place on 29 December 2012 at Hazy view, Mpumalanga.

According to the reports, Makhubela once advanced his love interest towards the deceased Ms Sengwayo. On the day of the shooting, Constable Makhubela from Graskop saw Sengwayo and the father of her 5 year old child who is now 8 years walking on the streets of Hazy View and out of jealousy he (Constable Makhubela) followed the pair and fired shots at them, Mike Magagule was shot 4 times and his girlfriend Lindeni was shot 3 times. Sengwayo managed to run to the nearest house where she fell and died on the spot.

The police Constable followed Ms Sengwayo until he got to the deceased `s parental house where he proceeded with firing shots at the two women he found standing outside the house. The two women whom are the deceased `s relatives ran for their lives while the Constable was firing shots at them. Constable Makhubela was sentenced to effective 18 years imprisonment by Gauteng North Court held in Nelspruit on the following counts:

Count 1 - Murder - 14 years’ imprisonment
Count 2 - Murder - 14 years’ imprisonment
Count 3 - Attempted Murder - 5 years’ imprisonment
Count 4 -Malicious damage to property - 3 years imprisonment

The presiding Judge then directed that the sentences in count 3 and 4 will run concurrently with count 1.It was also directed that 10 years of the sentence in count 2 will also run concurrently with count 1,Which ended up with effective 18 years imprisonment on 14 April 2015. After a long wait for justice, the deceased `s family are relieved that justice has been served.

Issued by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

For enquiries contact:
Acting IPID National Spokesperson
Grace Langa
072 1373 181
012 399 0050
012 399 0052
glanga@ipid.gov.za