IPID welcomes a sentence of life imprisonment and additional 15 years imposed on Limpopo police officer for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Nelspruit Regional Court sentenced Constable Sipho Dlamini (38), who was stationed at Balfour Vispol, for killing Xolane Lubisi on 31 April 2014.

On the day of the incident, Dlamini, Lubisi and Syco Mathe, who are friends, were drinking together at a local tavern, when they decided to drive to Nelspruit. Lubisi was driving, Mathe was sitting in the front passenger seat, while Dlamini was in the back seat behind Lubisi.

Dlamini, shot Lubisi in the head, killing him instantly, and they dumped his body in the bushes. They were, along the way, stopped by a traffic official who discovered blood in the vehicle. Mathe told the police what happened, and Lubisi’s body was retrieved from the bush.

The matter was reported to IPID for investigation, and Dlamini was later found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 years for defeating the ends of justice, and 12 months for driving under the influence of alcohol.

He will effective serve life and 15 years imprisonment, after the sentences were ordered to run concurrently. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his driver’s license was suspended for 12 months.

Mathe was acquitted on all charges.

Media enquiries:
Lizzy Suping
060 525 2822
Lsuping@ipid.gov.za
Phaladi Shuping
078 459 7772
Pshuping@ipid.gov.za
ISSUED BY THE INDEPENDENT POLICE INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTORATE (IPID)