No sentence yet for Emmanuel Sithole's murderers
The men convicted of the murder of Mozambican national Emmanuel Josias Sithole will have to wait until next month to learn their fate. Sithole was killed on April 18 this year after demanding money from some of the accused‚ who had taken cigarettes and sweets from his stall without paying.The attack‚ which happened during a flare-up of xenophobic violence in Johannesburg’s Alexandra township‚ was captured by Sunday Times photographer James Oatway.Mhinto Bhengu‚ 22‚ Sizwe Mngomezulu‚ 20‚ Sifundo Mzimela‚ 21‚ and a 17-year-old male pleaded not guilty in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court to robbing and murdering Sithole.Mngomezulu was acquitted on all charges after magistrate Lucas van der Schyff found that he was merely a bystander.Bhengu and Mzimela were found guilty of murder.Van der Schyff found the minor not guilty of murder because he had arrived after Sithole had been stabbed. He was convicted of theft.On Friday‚ Van der Schyff postponed the case against the three for the pre-sentencing reports of Bhengu and Mzimela to be finalised. They will return to court on January 19 for sentence.The minor’s pre-sentencing report has been completed and he will apply for bail next week...
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.