Two former police officers are among five accused who have been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice and corruption in a high-profile murder case involving the late ANC branch chairperson and community policing forum member, Thulani Nxumalo, who was killed in Kwandengezi, KwaZulu-Natal, in 2018.
The Pinetown Magistrates’ Court found the accused guilty of attempting to interfere with witnesses.
The murder of Nxumalo was investigated by the Political Killings Task Team.
The court heard how the two former police officers, Sgt Bonginkosi Dlamini and Lt-Col Khepu Ndlovu, together with a local induna, his wife and son, attempted to persuade and influence witnesses not to testify against suspects implicated in the murder case. Investigations revealed that the two police officers were paid R120 000 to try and derail the course of justice.
“Their actions sought to undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system.
The local induna, Felokwakhe Ndlovu, and two others were previously found guilty of the murder of Nxumalo and were sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2024,” a statement released by the South African Police Service said.
Acting national police commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane welcomed the sentence, saying the conviction sends a strong message that any attempts to interfere with witnesses or obstruct investigations will not be tolerated, regardless of the position held by those involved.
“The SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those within its ranks who engage in criminal conduct are held accountable,” said Dimpane.
- Two former police officers and three others were sentenced to 17 years in prison for corruption and obstructing justice in the 2018 murder case of ANC branch chairperson Thulani Nxumalo in KwaZulu-Natal.
- The accused were found guilty of attempting to influence witnesses not to testify against suspects involved in Nxumalo’s murder.
- The two former officers, Sgt Bonginkosi Dlamini and Lt-Col Khepu Ndlovu, were paid R120,000 to derail the investigation.
- The local induna, Felokwakhe Ndlovu, along with his wife and son, were previously convicted of Nxumalo’s murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2024.
- Acting National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane emphasized that the conviction underscores the SAPS’s commitment to upholding the law and holding corrupt officers accountable.
🎧 Listen to this article
Two former police officers are among five accused who have been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice and corruption in a high-profile murder case involving the late ANC branch chairperson and community policing forum member, Thulani Nxumalo, who was killed in Kwandengezi , KwaZulu-Natal, in 2018.
"The
“The
