The Mpumalanga High Court delivered its verdict on Wednesday, convicting and sentencing Hendry Dlamini to life imprisonment for the murder of Nelspruit Deputy Sheriff Michelle Jones. This tragic incident occurred on October 20, 2022, in Nelsville, Nelspruit.
Michelle Jones, a 32-year-old deputy sheriff, was fatally shot after purchasing a house that Dlamini, 36, was occupying. A day before the murder, Jones and her partner visited the property to change the door locks.
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It was during this visit that Dlamini confronted them, forcefully asserting his claim to the house and threatening their lives.
The following day, Dlamini launched a violent attack on Jones and her partner as they parked their vehicle near a shop. Jones suffered fatal gunshot wounds to her neck, chest, and abdomen, while her partner sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. Dlamini was subsequently arrested and pleaded not guilty during the trial.
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Despite his plea, the court found Dlamini guilty and determined that he displayed no remorse for his actions. The state successfully opposed his release on bail, and the court concluded that there were no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
This verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and the consequences that await those who commit such heinous crimes. The court’s decision ensures that Michelle Jones and her loved ones can find some solace in knowing that her killer will face the full weight of the law.
