Four life terms for man who murders family members, courtesy of Mpumalanga High Court | Mpumalanga News

The Mpumalanga High Court in Breyten has sentenced Siyabonga Richard Sangweni (32) to four life terms for the brutal murder of four family members in eMkhondo in 2023, and 15 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder.

According to the Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, Sangweni was arrested on the evening of June 15, 2023, after he had fatally shot his 73-year-old grandmother, two brothers and a niece at their home in Mafret. He had also attempted to kill his 22-year-old cousin.

This witness testified that she had found her grandmother and the children inside the house while Sangweni was seen standing outside holding a bag

Nyuswa said during the trial, Sangweni had denied the allegations, claiming he was not present at the time of the incident, and that he was in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. “However, senior state advocate Themba Lusenga presented compelling evidence against him, including testimonies from several eyewitnesses, one of whom was a surviving victim. This witness testified that she had found her grandmother and the children inside the house while Sangweni was seen standing outside holding a bag. Eyewitness accounts revealed that he had followed her inside and began firing shots at the victims.”

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The post-mortem examination determined that all victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds, confirming the lethal nature of Sangweni’s actions.

Nyuswa said the arresting officer provided critical testimony, highlighting his observations at the crime scene and confirming that he had found the accused in possession of a firearm. “The post-mortem examination determined that all victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds, confirming the lethal nature of Sangweni’s actions. Lusenga emphasised the prevalence of violent crimes in South Africa during the sentencing phase, urging the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentences. Victim impact statements compiled by court preparation officer Lindokuhle Sithole depicted the devastating aftermath of the murders for the remaining family members, who expressed their confusion over the motives behind the tragic killings and their ongoing struggle to find closure,” she said.