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Justice for Hlatshwayo: Four Get Life for Alfred Duma Municipality Murder

Published

2 months ago

August 7, 2025

Chiraag

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A planned ambush, a respected civil servant, and a six-year fight for justice

In 2019, the city of Ladysmith lost a man who helped keep it running. This week in 2025, four people finally faced the consequences of taking his life.

Simingaye Oscar Hlatshwayo, an Executive Director at the Alfred Duma Municipality, was ambushed and murdered in cold blood while driving to work. The court has now sentenced Nomaswazi Angel Shabalala, Mondli Mabaso, Mduduzi James Zakes Njuza, and Nqobile Brown Ngcobo to life in prison for orchestrating and executing the fatal shooting.

A targeted attack in morning traffic

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), this was no random hijacking. The murder was pre-planned. Shabalala, who worked with Hlatshwayo at the municipality, had coordinated the hit with the three other accused.

On a February morning in 2019, the group set up an ambush along his regular route. They chose a traffic light at a busy intersection, knowing Hlatshwayo would be forced to slow down. As he approached the signal, they opened fire. He was struck in the head and chest and died at the scene.

Inside the trial: six years of evidence and heartbreak

Bringing the case to court took years of investigative work. Prosecutor Advocate Cyril Selepe relied on surveillance footage, cellphone records, ballistic analysis, and the testimonies of two Section 204 witnesses. These insiders, who received immunity for cooperation, helped reveal how the group planned and executed the killing.

In court, Selepe also submitted a powerful victim impact statement from Hlatshwayo’s wife, who described him as her best friend and family breadwinner. She said her family, including their children, had struggled emotionally and financially since his death.

The judge not only handed down four life sentences but also declared the accused unfit to ever own a firearm.

Community response and NPA reaction

The NPA welcomed the sentence, calling it a reflection of strong cooperation between police and prosecutors. Spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara added that sentences like this serve as a warning to others who might consider resorting to violence.

There has also been public relief in Ladysmith, where Hlatshwayo’s murder left a lasting scar. Community members remember him as a calm leader and problem-solver during difficult municipal moments.

Why this case matters in 2025

In a country still grappling with violent crime and attacks on public officials, this outcome delivers a clear message: even delayed justice can still be justice served. While no sentence can undo the trauma or loss, the court’s decision offers some closure to Hlatshwayo’s loved ones and sends a warning to those who believe power, greed, or revenge puts them above the law.