Sergeant Vusimuzi Jethro Thabethe (45) was sentenced to 15-year imprisonment for murder by Mtubatuba Regional Court.

On 29 September 2024, Sergeant Thabethe went to Blue Magnolia tavern to buy alcohol, and saw a group of men sitting around the table with a bucket on the table. There was a bucket on the table where the group of men were sitting.

Sergeant Thabethe approached them, opened the bucket. He found a plastic of dagga in the bucket and took. He walked out of the tavern with that plastic, and Simphiwe Sihlongonyane (40), who was the owner of the dagga, followed him outside, and demanded that he give him his dagga back.

Segeant Thabethe refused and a fight ensued between the two. Sergeant Thabethe took out his firearm, and shot Sihlongonyane in the face. Sihlongonyane died at the scene.

IPID took over the case for investigation, and Sergeant Thabethe was charged for murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to 15-year imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Media enquiries:

Phaladi Shuping                                                 
078 459 7772                                                      
pshuping@ipid.gov.za                                           

ISSUED BY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING UNIT