State Pushes For Harsh Sentences In SAPS Bribery Linked To ANC Leader Murder

The State has called on the Pinetown Regional Court to impose a severe sentence on two former senior police officers found guilty of accepting a R120,000 bribe to interfere with a murder investigation.

The money was allegedly paid to manipulate evidence in the killing of ANC branch leader Thulani Nxumalo. The accused, Bonginkosi Dlamini, who served as the investigating officer, and former Lieutenant Colonel Khephu Ndlovu, were convicted of corruption.

Court proceedings revealed that in 2020, Dlamini received the bribe from Sibongile Ndlovu, whose husband, Felokwakhe Ndlovu, had been charged with Nxumalo’s murder. Khephu Ndlovu played a role in facilitating contact between Sibongile and the investigating officers.

State Calls For Tough Sentencing In Police Corruption Case

During sentencing arguments, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Lawrence Gcaba urged the court to consider the gravity of the offences committed by the former officers.

“These two high-ranking former police officers turned their badges upside down,” Gcaba told the court. He emphasised the location of the crime, stating: “This corrupt act was committed in the premises of the SAPS. How disrespectful is that?”

According to Gcaba, the illegal exchange took place in the parking area of Durban Central police station, using official resources. He argued that this demonstrated a disregard for the integrity of the police service and insisted that the court should show no leniency.

Evidence Tampering And Witness Interference Detailed In Court

The court heard that Dlamini also interfered with a State witness, Celani Dlamini, attempting to pressure him into withdrawing his statement against Felokwakhe Ndlovu.

Further evidence linked the Ndlovu family to the crime, including their son, Lindokuhle Mbonambi, who was found to have concealed the firearm used in the murder.

Gcaba reminded the court that, as the investigating officer, Dlamini was aware of the impact of the crime on the Nxumalo family. He also referred to broader concerns about corruption within the South African Police Service, citing the Madlanga Commission.

“The country as a whole has been exposed to rot at the senior level of SAPS because of corruption. The courts are expected to act and show no mercy to these kinds of offences,” he said.

Defence Argues For Consideration And Fair Treatment

In response, defence advocate JP Broster argued that the court should focus strictly on the charges faced by his clients and avoid judging them more harshly because of their roles within the police.

He also addressed delays in the case, stating that his client had been exercising his legal rights. Broster noted that Dlamini has remained in custody since February 2020.

Quoting legal principles, he added: “Mercy is not a reward for remorse.”

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Meanwhile, Laurens DeKlerk, representing Felokwakhe Ndlovu, requested that any additional sentence run concurrently with his client’s existing life sentence for murder. He described the actions of the family as a misguided attempt driven by desperation.

Magistrate Muntukayise Khumalo indicated that judgment would be delivered later in April, noting that time was needed to assess the arguments presented by both sides.