Yesterday, Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced former police officer, Lungisani Arnold Mgaga(30) to six life terms imprisonment for six counts of murder plus a total of 50 years imprisonment for five counts of attempted murders.
The accused has been in custody since 2015 after his arrest and was found in possession of his service pistol that was used during the commission of these crimes. His co-accused, Themba Mvelase (32) who was sentenced last year, is already serving life imprisonment for five counts of murder and ten years for five counts of attempted murder.
On 11 October 2014 at 17:10 a Mercedes Benz vehicle with five occupants was travelling at Pieters road when it was attacked by unknown suspects who opened fire, killing one person who was identified as Happy Hlomuka (30). Four other occupants were wounded and taken to hospital for treatment. In less than an hour later, another shooting was reported at a car wash, D Section at Ezakheni where five people were shot and killed while at the car wash. One victim was wounded during the shooting and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The deceased were identified as Muzi Dlamini, Sfundo Dlamini, Mlungisi Dlamini Menzi Mvelase and Makhekhe Mathebula. All these cases were opened at Ezakheni police station and the provincial task team was tasked to vigorously investigate these incidents.
After an intensive investigation, the accused who was based in Gauteng was identified and arrested for both incidents. He was charged with six counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. He is also the subject of other murder cases in Kwazulu-Natal and will appear in court again soon to face these charges.
