A murderer from the KwaMashu hostel has been convicted and sentenced to a total of 26 years imprisonment for murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was sentenced by the Ntuzuma Regional Court after the magistrate heard how he killed a woman at the hostel. The accused was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for murder, 10 years for possession of unlicensed firearm and 3 years for possession of ammunition without a licence. The sentences will run concurrently.

On 26 April 2016 at 03.30, KwaMashu police attended a case of murder at Jabula Road, KwaMashu hostel, where a woman who was identified as Nobuhle Msomi (27) was found dead. She had sustained gunshot wounds on her body. A case of murder was opened at the KwaMashu police station for further investigation. A month later KwaMashu Detective’s team traced the accused and he was arrested at the same hostel. He was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition which was suspected to be used during the commission of the murder. The recovered firearm was sent for ballistic tests and it was positively linked to the murder.

The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa welcomed the sentence and praised the detectives for their outstanding investigation that lead to the conviction of the accused. Criminals hiding at hostels must know that their days are numbered. We will hunt them down and make sure that they face crimes that they are wanted for. Illegal firearms at hostels will be seized and those found in possession of such illegal firearms will be charged accordingly, he said.

Source: South African Police Service