Evaton men jailed for life over 2023 drug-row triple murder

Two men from Evaton in Gauteng were sentenced to life imprisonment after their conviction for three murders and an additional 15-year term for attempted murder, following a violent attack linked to a dispute over alleged stolen drugs and firearms.

What happened

The incident occurred in the early hours of 22 February 2023, when Patrick Mphindeli Mkhwanazi, 39, and William Mbuyiswa, 29, went to one of the victims’ homes in Evaton, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said.

On arrival they found four men and, according to Mahanjana, “they then had an altercation with them, accusing the four men of stealing Mkhwanazi’s drugs and firearms.”

Attack and arrest

During the argument the two accused assaulted the four men with a panga and other unknown weapons, resulting in three men dying at the scene and one man being injured. Neighbours who heard the argument called the police. Mkhwanazi and Mbuyiswa were arrested on the scene, and the injured man was taken to hospital, Mahanjana said.

Trial and sentencing

The men were convicted in the Sebokeng Regional Court of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. In addition to the life sentences imposed for the murders, they received 15 years for the attempted murder charge.

Mahanjana said both men had remained in custody after the NPA opposed their bail applications. During the trial both defendants pleaded not guilty and denied committing the offences.

Prosecution and defence arguments

State prosecutor Vusi Mbabane presented what the NPA described as evidence proving the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In mitigation, the defence said both were first-time offenders, relatively young and employed, and asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

The State argued there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence, and that the accused had shown no remorse and had attacked the victims based on unsubstantiated suspicions, Mahanjana said. The State also argued the offences violated the victims’ constitutional right to life and that a strong deterrent sentence was warranted.

Magistrate’s finding

The magistrate agreed with the State’s submissions, finding the offences exceptionally violent and that the accused had shown no remorse. The court held that, despite their ages, the seriousness of the crimes warranted their removal from society to protect innocent members of the public and found no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a lesser sentence.

“Accordingly, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a lesser sentence and imposed the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.”

The NPA spokesperson provided the details above about the convictions and sentencing.