Robbers who assaulted 5 on farm then killed woman in road crash are jailed
Odwa Dyabana, 26, Luthando Ngangelizwe, 29, and Siseko Qhayiso, 31, were convicted in the East London high court of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and firearm-related offences.
Ngangelizwe and Qhayiso each received effective sentences of 25 years' imprisonment. Dyabana received an additional sentence for culpable homicide and reckless driving, bringing his effective sentence to 30 years. All three were declared unfit to possess firearms.
A fourth accused, Lundi Magobongo, 26, was acquitted after the court accepted his version that he was a contracted e-hailing driver merely transported the men, unaware of their criminal intentions.
The court heard the assailants arrived at Lorain Farm in Bluewater, near East London, on February 20 2024 under the pretence of wanting to buy dogs, National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said.
After gaining the farm owner's trust, they lured him to the kennels in his Toyota Land Cruiser. There they produced firearms, tied him up and returned to the farmhouse, where they continued with the robbery.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
4 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Mbenenge says flirtatious texts with his accuser were sensual, not sexual
Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge. (Office of the Chief Justice/ S Lioners) Flirtatious text messages between Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge and junior legal professional Andiswa Mengo were at the centre of Tuesday's session of the judicial conduct tribunal in which he faces sexual harassment charges. Mbenenge told the tribunal that the tone of the text exchanges was 'sensual' rather than sexual, and emphasised that he and Mengo had not been physically intimate. When he first took the stand on Monday, Mbenenge showed he was not at the Mthatha high court during the date of an alleged incident of indecent exposure at his chambers and said the relationship with Mengo was consensual. Taking the stand months into the tribunal, Mbenenge insisted that he did nothing wrong in pursuing a romantic relationship with Mengo, saying he was not her supervisor and blamed a smear campaign for the harassment claims. Mengo has accused Mbenenge of sexually hounding her while she was based at the Mthatha high court, including sending inappropriate WhatsApp messages and requesting nude photographs of her. Gender expert Lisa Vetten has testified that because of Text messages have taken centre stage in the evidence, with digital forensic analysts and linguistic experts unpacking their subliminal meanings. The On Tuesday, Mbenenge focused his defence on screenshots of nude photos he is alleged to have sent to Mengo on 16 June 2021, requesting her reciprocation the next day. He denied sending any such photos and said there was no concrete evidence to support the claim. In her affidavit, Mengo stated that Mbenenge had sent several photos of his private parts and pornographic material, which he allegedly deleted shortly after sending. She said she managed to capture a screenshot of one image. But Mbenenge highlighted what he called inconsistencies between Mengo's affidavit and her earlier testimony during the first sitting of the tribunal in January. He questioned the absence of the alleged nude photo, stating that no such image had been presented as evidence. Reading from her complaint, Mbenenge quoted Mengo's testimony of her recollection the day after he requested a nude photo from her: 'On 18 June 2021 he asked me if we were done with what we were talking about, and I said no.' He said this suggested ambiguity, not rejection. Mbenenge said that instead of sending him a nude photo as requested, Mengo had posted a photograph of herself on her WhatsApp status, to which he responded with a message expressing pleasant surprise. He further claimed that the following day, Mengo sent him a Father's Day message using his clan name, 'Jola', which he described as a term of endearment. Mengo has said she Mbenenge said he interpreted this as a continuation of the flirtatious tone and an indication of mutual interest. He said the phrase 'earn it', which Mengo used during their exchange, was not a rejection but an invitation to persist in romantic pursuit. 'What I am doing at this point is to demonstrate the incongruity between the complaints [texts and testimony]' Mbenenge told the tribunal. He argued that the content and context of the text messages showed a mutual and consensual romantic dynamic, not harassment. Asked by his counsel, Muzi Sikhakhane, whether he had ever picked up discomfort from Mengo, Mbenenge responded, 'Not at all.' He described their conversations as 'deeply sensual', even when discussing sexual positions, and insisted this did not amount to sexual engagement or harassment but rather playful flirtation. Mbenenge dismissed the suggestion that Mengo had firmly said 'no' multiple times during their exchanges, stating he did not encounter a 'no' when reading the transcript of the text messages. Mbenenge said Mengo had complimented him as 'handsome' twice and, at one point, when he asked, 'Do you reckon we can be intimate this week?', she responded by saying she would answer in person. The text conversations, according to Mbenenge, eventually became confusing, particularly when he sought to meet in person and Mengo failed to give a clear response. The judge continuously emphasised the 'shame' he had to endure because of the explicit nature of the allegations based on Mengo's testimony without actual evidence of photos he is accused of having sent. The tribunal continues on Wednesday with further cross-examination by Sikhakhane and the evidence leader, Salome Scheepers.
The Herald
5 hours ago
- The Herald
Free State records two deaths, rescues 21 from illegal initiation school
Two deaths have been recorded in the Free State since the start of the winter initiation season, while a joint effort by the community, the Provincial Initiation Co-ordinating Committee (PICC) and the police has led to the rescue of 21 initiates from an illegal initiation school in Theunissen. One death was recorded in Botshabelo and another in Bethulie. Police are investigating the cases. The Free State co-operative governance and traditional affairs department (Cogta) confirmed the illegal initiation school has been closed and the initiates reunited with their families. 'One of the initiates has been taken to hospital for medical attention,' it said. 'In Bethulie, two male initiates received medical attention after they were found with swollen feet. The cause of their condition is still being investigated. In Vrede, Thabo Mofutsanyana district, two cases of missing initiates were reported to the police. The initiates are aged 15 and 27,' said Cogta spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu. Six criminal cases have been opened with law enforcement agencies in the province.
The Herald
6 hours ago
- The Herald
Police investigate 'drunk' cop in viral video
The police have launched an investigation into a viral video of a police officer allegedly under the influence of alcohol while in uniform and on duty in the North West. The video shows a group of community members confronting the police officer and accusing him of being drunk. Provincial spokesperson Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the police have seen the footage and view the allegations made seriously. 'The provincial commissioner who is on record saying that ill-discipline and intemperate behaviour by members shall not be tolerated views the video in a very serious light and has instructed the district commissioner to immediately investigate the allegations, which if true amounts not only to serious misconduct, but also a criminal offence,' Mokgwabone said. 'These allegations cannot and should not be taken lightly as they are damaging to the integrity and professional image of the SAPS, further contributing to the trust deficit between the police and the community. 'It is equally important to point out that this matter shall be investigated without fear, favour or prejudice.' Mokgwabone said preliminary investigations indicate that two members of the Patriotic Alliance and Operation Dudula, who came from Gauteng to support the group, could assist with the investigation. The police have called on the two individuals to contact the district commissioner or the provincial corporate communication and liaison to assist. 'The two possible witnesses are further advised that making and publicising information of such a serious nature without reporting it to the relevant authorities may result in them being charged for defeating or obstructing the course of justice.' TimesLIVE
