The Mthatha High Court has sentenced Mandisi Makhanda (37), to three life imprisonment terms for killing three members of one family.
In addition, the court sentenced him to a cumulative 15-year sentence, for robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms with intent to commit an offence, and possession of firearms and ammunition.
The judgement was delivered on August 12.
Before the commission of the above offences, Makhanda, of the Cumgce area in the district of Libode, escaped from lawful custody at Rooigrond Correctional Centre in the North-West province, where he was serving a life sentence for murder. During his escape, he stole a firearm belonging to a correctional officer.
On the evening of October 4, 2018, he armed himself with that firearm and went to Nomqonde’s spaza shop in the Mafini area in the district of Ngqeleni.
“On his arrival, he found customers consuming liquor inside and instructed them to lie down at gunpoint. He then approached the cashier and demanded cash. The deceased, Novangeli Nomqonde, complied but pleaded with him not to take a cell phone that did not belong to her.”
“Makhanda said she was cheeky and shot her dead. When her husband, Fezile Nomqonde, tried to intervene, he also shot him together with his nephew Zalisile Nomqonde,” said NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali
Makhanda was arrested at Circus Triangle Mall, in Mthatha on November 7, 2018, still carrying the murder weapon.
A customer who was present during the commission of the offence, tipped the police off when he came across Makhanda in Libode town a few days after the incident.
“During the trial, he pleaded not guilty, and disputed ever setting his foot at the Nomqonde spaza shop. But under cross-examination by Senior State Adv. Mduduzi Mzila, he could not tell where he was on that day, nor not explain how a firearm stolen during his escape from North-West province was found in his possession, and positively linked to the murders,” Tyali added.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo commended the prosecutor and the investigating team, led by the provincial head of Organised Crime, Brigadier Duduzile Ngculu.
