A serving police constable and two former police officers convicted of culpable homicide

The independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has investigated murder charges against five police constables stationed at Ekangala Visible Policing.

The charges followed an assault on an arrested drunken driving suspect, who later succumbed to his injuries. The incident happened on December 26 at the Ekangala police station.

The deceased, a 40-year-old male named Boy Mahlangu, was declared dead at the Ekangala Clinic.

The four members were arrested on January 3 and denied bail. The members were 25-year-old Sibongile Petrova Masombuka, 31-year-old Emelda Magagane, 29-year-old Abel Mashaba, and 31-year-old Fanie Ishmael Nyembe. Masombuka and Magagane were released on bail after five months following their confession. A 31-year-old named Themba Percy Shabalala was added to the list of accused.

Masombuka and Magagane turned state witnesses at a later stage, and the three remaining accused were then found guilty of culpable homicide on April 14, 2023, and sentenced to five years' direct imprisonment.
 

Issued by Independent Police Investigative Directorate,

Enquiries:

Mr R Raburabu
Acting National Spokesperson
082 926 1067 and 012 399 0056
E-mail: Rraburabu@ipid.gov.za