Ex-principal, accomplice jailed for life over murder of Durban metro officer

A former school principal and an accomplice were sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of a Durban Metro police officer, the court heard.

The convictions and sentences

The two men were found guilty on 11 May 2026 and were sentenced yesterday, the Hawks said.

Forty‑eight‑year‑old former school principal Sithembiso Khumalo and Khulani Cele were convicted of the murder of Captain Zwelakhe Ntombela.

Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, Hawks spokesperson, said Cele was already serving life imprisonment at New Prison Correctional Services in Pietermaritzburg. Regarding Khumalo, Mhlongo said:

“His sentence will run concurrently, and both accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm.”

Khumalo received additional prison terms: 8 years for unlawful possession of a firearm (listed twice in the judgement), 18 months for unlawful possession of ammunition, and 8 years for defeating the ends of justice. The Hawks said those sentences will run concurrently.

Details of the killing and investigation

Captain Ntombela was shot and killed while arriving at his home in Umlazi on 3 May 2023. He was robbed of his private and service pistols, the Hawks said.

A murder case was reported at Umlazi police station and the docket was allocated to Hawks members from the Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation for intensive investigation.

Mhlongo said Captain Ntombela’s firearms were recovered at KwaMaphumulo.

Other arrests and related sentences

In July, Hawks members working with the National Intervention Unit arrested 27‑year‑old Mzo Ntombela in the Umsinga area, where he was hiding. Mzo was later sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment on 21 August 2023.

Lieutenant Colonel Mhlongo said the two men sentenced this week will join 43‑year‑old Nongcebo Ntombela, who had also been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her husband.

Ongoing matters

The Hawks said investigations are continuing.