A shocking crime has left the community reeling after Kwanele Khumalo was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Westville prison warden, Rishinund Maharaj. The Durban High Court handed down the sentence on Tuesday morning, bringing closure to the family of the victim. Khumalo pleaded guilty under Section 105(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, detailing the events that led to the tragic incident.
According to Khumalo, he and his accomplice, Thabiso Thusi, had planned to rob a house on Baden Road in Westville, armed with an unlicensed firearm. They entered the property through an open gate and encountered two Indian males, one of whom fled deeper into the house. A scuffle ensued between Khumalo and Maharaj, resulting in Khumalo shooting Maharaj during the altercation.
Sequence of Events
Khumalo explained that he took a cellphone and fled the house with Thusi, escaping in a vehicle. He later learned through the media that Maharaj had died from a gunshot wound. Thusi, who was arrested alongside Khumalo, is currently at large after being granted bail by the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court. Khumalo also admitted to separate offences committed in May 2023, including a house robbery in Malvern.
Prior Offences
In the Malvern incident, Khumalo and his accomplices used a stolen Toyota Etios to patrol the area. They noticed a home with an open kitchen gate but a closed main gate and decided to scale the fence. Inside, they found two females and locked them in the bathroom, proceeding to search the house for valuables. Khumalo took a jewellery box containing watches and a television set, loading the items into the Toyota Etios before fleeing the premises.
However, their escape was short-lived as their vehicle was spotted by SAPS members, leading to a chase. When the police fired shots, the car overturned, and Khumalo managed to flee with the stolen jewellery. He later sold the items for R4,000, sharing the proceeds with his accomplices.
Khumalo expressed remorse to the court, accepting responsibility for his actions and stating his belief in his capacity for rehabilitation. His lawyer, Advocate T. Mthembu, informed the court that Khumalo was willing to testify as a State witness against his co-assailants if required.
- Khumalo pleaded guilty to the murder of Rishinund Maharaj
- He was sentenced to 25 years in prison
- Khumalo admitted to separate offences committed in May 2023
- He expressed remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions
