Families of two killed friends welcome the sentence handed over to the killer.
Lungani Mthethwa (31) was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Durban Magistrates Court on Monday, 17 March.
He faced charges of assault, murder, robbery and possession of an unlicenced firearm, which he pleaded guilty to.
Mthethwa assaulted and shot dead Zizipho Gabisa and her friend, Anele Mbokazi. Their bodies were found at Kenville in Durban in August 2024.
Mthethwa was initially arrested with his friend, Sandile Chili and two other men. But the two other men were released due to a lack of evidence.
As the matter proceeded, Chili turned state witness and spilled the beans on how Mthethwa killed Zizipho and Anele on his own. Mthethwa was then left alone in the matter and he then pleaded guilty to the murders.
A statement read in court by Mthethwa’s representative stated that he remembers everything he did that fateful night although he, Chili and the deceased were under the influence of alcohol.
Mthethwa was in tears on Monday when he apologised to his family, his children and the families of the deceased.
Anele’s cousin, Mvuselelo Magwaza told Daily Sun the family welcomes the sentence because it will not bring Zizile and Anele even if he was given more than that.
“We decided to accept the years handed down to him. Any sentence wouldn’t have made us happy anyway. So we accept this one,” he said.
Mthethwa has three wives he takes care of, including his six children and mother. He is also a first-time offender.
