Justice Served: Glebelands Hostel Killers Get Life Sentences

Durban High Court delivers harsh sentences after eight men were executed in a coordinated Glebelands Hostel massacre.

In a case that shocked South Africa, the Durban High Court has sentenced five men to eight life terms each for the brutal murders of eight residents at the Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi.

The convicted killers, Bongile Mabele, Siyathemba Mthwana, Nkosayikhethi Njeya, Bongani Mboyiyana, and Sibusiso Mkhonde, were also sentenced to an additional 15 years for illegal firearm and ammunition possession. Their sentences will run concurrently, effectively locking them away for life.

A Planned Bloodbath Over Power Struggles

The massacre took place in the early hours of 3 June 2023, after a power feud between hostel block chairpersons turned deadly. Prosecutors say Bongile Mabele, a leader of several blocks, wanted full control of the hostel and clashed with fellow chairperson Phakamani Lukhozi, who refused to relinquish leadership.

According to Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the dispute escalated into a meticulously planned execution.

“The accused armed themselves, stationed guards at the gates, and stormed a room where Phakamani and his friends were socialising. They opened fire, killing eight men in cold blood,” she said.

The Victims

The deceased were identified as:

• Phakamani Lukhozi

• Thamsanqa Shongwe

• Mpilo Khumalo

• Bongani Mkane

• Lungani Sikhobi

• Yandisa Msungubali

• Nkululeko Lukhozi

• Mxolisi Mthethwa

Postmortem reports confirmed the victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds, dying instantly at the scene.

Eyewitness Trauma and Courtroom Closure

The prosecution, led by Advocate Rakesh Singh, relied on the testimony of a Section 204 witness someone granted immunity in exchange for full disclosure and two deeply moving victim impact statements (VIS).

One witness described how the scene “left him traumatised,” forcing him to flee KwaZulu-Natal entirely. Another said the incident had left him “in pain and misery.”

Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng, a court preparation officer, helped victims share their stories.

NPA: ‘Brutal Acts, No Remorse’

Ramkisson-Kara welcomed the judgment, describing the men’s actions as “callous and brutal.”

“These sentences reaffirm our justice system’s stance against violent crimes. We hope this serves as a warning to others who may think they can act with impunity,” she said.

A Dark Chapter in Hostel Violence

Glebelands Hostel has long been a flashpoint of violence, often linked to territorial control, politics, and housing disputes. Dozens have died in similar hostel-related killings over the past decade.

This judgment, however, marks one of the strongest legal outcomes yet in the battle against hostel crime.

The Glebelands massacre was not just a tragic episode of violence, it was a calculated act of terror rooted in power and fear. The Durban High Court’s life sentences send a clear message: South Africa’s justice system will no longer tolerate violence disguised as hostel politics.

{Source: The Citizen}

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