Mpumalanga Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Murder Over RAF Payout

Brutal killing over Road Accident Fund payout shocks Bushbuckridge

In a case that has gripped Mpumalanga, 31-year-old Present Sibuyi was sentenced to 25 years direct imprisonment for the cold-blooded murder of 33-year-old Nonewell Nkuna. The High Court in Mbombela found Sibuyi guilty on five charges, including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, possession of a prohibited firearm, and possession of ammunition.

The violent incident unfolded on 6 January in Bushbuckridge, when Sibuyi and an accomplice ambushed Nkuna and other victims after following them from Mbumber Taven in Buyisonto. According to NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the group was stopped at gunpoint, forced into a vehicle, and driven to a secluded location.

Murder over a payout

Nyuswa revealed that Sibuyi accused one of the victims of receiving a Road Accident Fund (RAF) payout, stole R1,800 in cash and a cellphone, and fired multiple shots. Nkuna succumbed to gunshot wounds to the head and hands, as confirmed by the post-mortem report.

In court, Sibuyi accepted responsibility through a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement, allowing for a resolution without a full trial. State Advocate Fedile Tsotetsi described the killing as premeditated and unprovoked, highlighting the brutality of the act.

Justice served, but community shaken

The NPA affirmed its commitment to holding violent criminals accountable, stressing that Sibuyi’s conviction is a message that such acts will not go unpunished. In addition to the prison term, the court declared him unfit to possess firearms under the Firearms Control Act.

Local reactions have been a mix of relief and lingering unease. Social media users in Bushbuckridge expressed sorrow for Nkuna’s family while praising the swift sentencing. Some voices highlighted the need for greater protection for individuals involved in RAF claims, noting that financial disputes should never escalate to violence.

As Sibuyi begins his sentence, the case stands as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of greed and premeditated violence, and the ongoing efforts by the justice system to ensure accountability in Mpumalanga’s communities.

{Source: The Citizen}

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