By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Hitman Sabelo Phewa was on Tuesday handed two life sentences by the Pietermaritzburg High Court for the murder of former Richmond Local Municipality manager Sibusiso Sithole.
Sithole was gunned down in 2017 at the Richmond licensing office while on his way to a council meeting where he was due to table findings of an investigation into widespread fraud and corruption, including irregular tenders and kickbacks.
The case was later taken over by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in 2018, which led to Phewa’s arrest and conviction.
In a media statement, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola welcomed the double life sentence handed to Phewa.
According to the police, the firearm found in Phewa’s possession at the time of his arrest was linked to several other murders, including that of Amos Ngcobo, whose wife ordered the hit.
She later turned state witness and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Masemola praised the PKTT for cracking the case and securing a lengthy conviction.
“Through this case, we were able to link and solve other cases such as the murder of Amos Ngcobo,” Masemola said.
“The number of life sentences secured by the task team now exceeds 30 for several hitmen and instigators. Well done and may you continue to provide answers and closure to other families.”
INSIDE POLITICS