Johnathan Paoli
THE Durban Regional Court jailed has passed judgement on an ex-apartheid security official Wesley Madonsela, for the murder of UDF activist Siphelele Nxumalo that he committed in 1989.
The 52-year-old Madonsela had been on the run for 34 years after he failed to approach the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to seek a pardon for killing Nxumalo.
It was reported that on 2 February 1989 Nxumalo was on the road when he was approached by Madonsela and his accomplices, who fired shots towards him and fled the scene.
According to the TRC report Nxumalo was a UDF activist when he was shot and killed by members of Chesterville A-Team during the political conflict between UDF and Inkatha supporters.
A case of murder was reported at Cato Manor Police Station and Madonsela was later arrested.
Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said that although Madonsela appeared in court, he absconded after being granted bail and allegedly fled the country.
A warrant of arrest was issued and the case docket filed, with Madonsela being on the run since then and never appearing in the TRC.
Mbambo said that in July this year, Madonsela was traced and arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Durban that is assigned to deal with TRC cases in the province, then ultimately convicted and sentenced.
The National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya commended the work of the investigation and prosecution team that have worked tirelessly on these complicated and long outstanding matters.
NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that the NPA was pleased with the sentence and that the success of cases such as these were due to the efforts of the NPA and other stakeholders involved.
“The NPA welcomes the findings of the court. This is an example of the NPA’s TRC Component’s efforts in addressing the atrocities of apartheid crimes; and getting justice for the victims and their families,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
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