Life sentence for man who killed Mpumalanga doctor after tavern visit

A Mpumalanga court has handed a life sentence to a man who admitted taking part in the murder and robbery of a young doctor after a tavern visit.

Attack after leaving tavern

The Elukwatini Regional Court sentenced 23-year-old Clement Njabulo Nhlabathi to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances of 27-year-old medical doctor Mthunzi Zwane.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Mpumalanga regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, Zwane was attacked after visiting Stars Local Tavern in Nhlazatshe 1, Elukwatini, on 6 July 2023 to buy alcohol. Nyuswa said Zwane was spotted at the tavern by a group of men and, as he left the premises, the group followed him.

Stabbing, robbery and drowning

The court heard that when Zwane reached a nearby bridge the group attacked him, produced a knife and repeatedly stabbed him while demanding his bank card and PIN. Zwane handed over his bank card and PIN.

“When the accused realised that he was no longer breathing, they pushed his body into the river, where he drowned,” Nyuswa said. His body was discovered the following day.

The group then returned to the tavern and repeatedly used Zwane’s bank card to buy alcohol until the transaction limit was reached before discarding the card. Police investigations led to arrests, and one of the accused later pointed out where the bank card had been discarded.

Charges, plea and sentence

Nhlabathi pleaded guilty during his trial and admitted in his plea explanation that his actions were unlawful and punishable by law. He was convicted on both charges.

The court found there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence. Nhlabathi was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and an additional 15 years’ direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Co-accused and continuing proceedings

Nhlabathi was initially charged alongside Lwazi Panel Motha, 22; Sakhile Siphamandla Nkosi, 23; Nthatheng Hopewell Makhanya, 22; and Nkosenhle Prince Masina, 24. Nyuswa said the four co-accused pleaded not guilty, and the State successfully applied for separation of trials.

The criminal proceedings against the remaining four accused were postponed to 29 September 2026 in the same court.

Arguments in mitigation and the victim impact statement

In mitigation, defence counsel argued that Nhlabathi had pleaded guilty, shown remorse and had not wasted the court’s time, asking the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. State prosecutor Mxolisi Biyela countered that the guilty plea was motivated by the overwhelming evidence, including eyewitness testimony, a confession and a pointing-out obtained during the investigation.

A victim impact statement compiled by Zwane’s sister with the assistance of court preparation officer Nondumiso Thwala described the emotional and financial hardship the family suffered after his death and said the siblings had lost both parents, leaving Zwane as her only remaining immediate family member.

NPA response

The NPA in Mpumalanga welcomed the sentence, saying it reflected the gravity of the offences and underscored the justice system’s commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.

“The NPA remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice for victims of violent crime and commends State Prosecutor Mxolisi Biyela, the investigating team, Court Preparation Officer Nondumiso Thwala and all other role players whose collective efforts secured this conviction and sentence,” Nyuswa said.