Nkululeko Philip Maphumulo has been sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment by the Verulam Regional Court for the robbery and murder of Mbongeni Ndlovu on June 19, 2019. The incident occurred near Cornubia when Maphumulo robbed Ndlovu and his girlfriend, Busisiwe Zulu, at gunpoint, taking Ndlovu’s Toyota Run X and a cellphone before killing him.
Maphumulo was subsequently on the run after committing these crimes. Magistrate Betty Rawheath sentenced Maphumulo to 10 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 15 years for murder. These sentences were ordered to run separately, totalling 25 years. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Murder and Robbery Charges
The court found no compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the minimum prescribed sentences. Magistrate Rawheath noted that Maphumulo was at large, which required police to conduct a series of investigations and follow leads to link him to the crimes. According to the South African Department of Justice, the minimum sentence for murder is 15 years.
Rawheath dismissed the argument that Maphumulo’s status as a first offender should be a mitigating factor. The vehicle was never recovered. She agreed with State prosecutor, advocate Nokulunga Ngcobo, stating that Ndlovu’s killing was unnecessary, given that Maphumulo already had the upper hand by possessing a firearm during the robbery.
Incitement or Provocation
“He had every opportunity to take the car and leave,” Rawheath stated. The magistrate also rejected the defence’s suggestion that Ndlovu incited or provoked his own killing when he asked Maphumulo what he was waiting for after being threatened. “It cannot be incitement or provocation; such an argument holds no water,” Rawheath said.
Describing the murder as a “cold-blooded, calculated killing of a human being”, Rawheath emphasised that society relies on the courts to impose harsh sentences for such crimes to deter others. She also commended advocate Ngcobo for successfully piecing together the limited evidence the State had. “The court should commend the prosecutor in this matter. The prosecution realised it was in the interest of justice for this matter to be heard.”
- The murder occurred on June 19, 2019
- Maphumulo was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment
- The minimum sentence for murder is 15 years
For more information on the South African justice system, visit the South African Government website.
