Soweto hitman jailed for 18 years after admitting to two contract killings

A 49-year-old Soweto man has been sentenced to an effective 18 years in prison after admitting to two contract killings and multiple firearms offences. The sentence was handed down in the Polokwane High Court on 20 August 2026 following a plea and sentence agreement between the State and the defence.

The offences and plea

The man, identified in court as Mbusiseni Ngubane, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, three counts of unlawful possession of firearms and three counts of unlawful possession of ammunition. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

In his plea, Ngubane admitted that in 2024 he and his co-accused were hired to kill Thomas Sydwell Mulaudzi for R80 000, which was shared among them. He also admitted to taking part in a second murder when he, Ntevhedzeni Mamida and Ernest Nevondo conspired to kill Mukhese Lufuno in the Muledane area of the Vhembe District.

Firearms, concealment and parole

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said Ngubane admitted to unlawfully possessing a semi-automatic rifle while committing the offences and that he concealed the firearms by burying them in a shallow grave behind his girlfriend’s residence in Bunzhe Village, outside Makwarela. Police later recovered the firearms, leading to his re-arrest. At the time of the offences, Ngubane was on parole.

“Ngubane also admitted that he unlawfully possessed a semi-automatic rifle while committing the offences. He subsequently concealed the firearms by burying them in a shallow grave behind his girlfriend’s residence in Bunzhe Village, outside Makwarela. Following a thorough investigation, police recovered the firearms, leading to his re-arrest. At the time of the offences, Ngubane was on parole.”

Sentencing arguments and outcome

During sentencing, State Advocate Nkhetheni Munyai told the court that unlawful killing is among the most serious crimes recognised in law. The State argued the offences were grave, shocked the community’s conscience and warranted a sentence that would reflect their seriousness, deter similar conduct and reaffirm the rule of law.

The State also submitted that the murder in the second count was motivated by financial gain.

Co-accused and prosecution response

The cases against co-accused Ntevhedzeni Mamida and Ernest Nevondo were postponed to 15 February 2027. Ngubane is expected to testify as a state witness during those proceedings.

“The NPA prosecutes hundreds of matters of this nature every day to protect communities, uphold the rule of law, and ensure justice for victims of crime. This sentence demonstrates that those who commit serious and violent crimes will be held accountable,”

said Advocate Ivy Thenga, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, who welcomed the outcome and commended the prosecution and investigating teams.