Loyiso Nkohla Mabandla’s killer jailed for 30 years

Zukisa Tshabile has been sentenced to an effective 30 years’ imprisonment for the murder of community activist Loyiso Nkohla Mabandla and a series of other serious offences.

The Western Cape High Court convicted Tshabile of murder, seven counts of attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition after he had entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the state.

The charges arose from two separate incidents; the assassination of Mabandla on April 17 2023 and an armed robbery at the Pizza Pub in Kraaifontein on July 5 2023.

“The court imposed sentences totalling 149 years’ direct imprisonment. However, it ordered the sentences to run concurrently with the 30-year sentence imposed for Mabandla’s murder, resulting in an effective sentence of 30 years’ direct imprisonment,” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said in a statement on Tuesday.

In his plea, Tshabile told the court that Mabandla had been approached by members of the Philippi community to act as a social facilitator between them and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), following eviction notices issued to people who had unlawfully occupied the Philippi railway line. Mabandla was subsequently officially recognised and included in the social compact.

Ntabazalila stated that Prasa contractor Mzansi Fire sought local security for Philippi station. Lacking a registered firm, Mabandla and his wife partnered with Thobani Maxengana’s Limise Protection Services to take up the opportunity.

“The relationship deteriorated after Maxengana allegedly failed to pay 17 security personnel working at Philippi railway station despite having received payment from Mzansi Fire. Mabandla subsequently paid the security personnel from his own funds.”

Ntabazalila said a new security company later came on board, in which Mabandla obtained a 50% share.

On April 17 2023, Mabandla called a community meeting to discuss the non-payment of the security personnel and the way forward.

“According to the plea agreement, Maxengana approached (co accused Mziyanda) Mdlungu and (Mzubanzi) Chulayo and requested protection because he felt unsafe entering the Philippi area.”

Maxengana also allegedly informed Tshabile and his co-accused that he had a problem with Mabandla and his wife and wanted them killed.

Tshabile and the other gunmen were allegedly each offered R20,000 for the murders.

Mdlungu, Chulayo and two other men collected Tshabile from his home in Khayelitsha and travelled to Philippi railway station, where the community meeting was taking place. Mabandla’s vehicle was pointed out to the gunmen because they did not know him.

The gunmen opened fire on Mabandla. He attempted to escape but died at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

Tshabile also admitted his involvement in the armed robbery at the Pizza Pub in Horak Street, Kraaifontein.

Tshabile and five others entered the establishment, pointed firearms at occupants, threatened to kill them and stole R15,000 in cash, alcohol and two cellphones from customers.

The accused were involved in a shoot-out with the police after the incident which led to an injury to a bystander.

Tshabile was subsequently arrested after police stopped a taxi and found him in possession of a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition.

Mdlungu and Chulayo are expected to appear in the Wynberg Circuit Court on Wednesday morning.

“The NPA welcomes the sentence as an important measure of accountability for a calculated and violent attack that claimed the life of Mabandla and endangered several other people,” Ntabazalila said.

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