- Siphamandla Gumede received five life terms and additional sentences totalling 165 years for murders, attempted murder, and robbery in Umlazi.
- Thinavhuyo Magogodela was sentenced to two life terms and 20 years, totalling 70 years for rape and assault in Ha-Luvhimbi.
- Khanyisa Golivi was sentenced to life plus 15 years, totalling 40 years, for rape and robbery in Willowvale. These sentences emphasise justice for victims and serve as a warning to others.
Umlazi killings leave families devastated
The Durban High Court sentenced 31-year-old Siphamandla Gumede to five life terms and further prison sentences amounting to 165 years for a series of murders, attempted murder, and robbery that rocked Umlazi in November 2023. Acting Judge DM Davis described the crimes as “brazen, calculated and heartless attacks on innocent lives in their own homes.”
Gumede joined forces with others, still unknown to the authorities, to rob and kill several residents. Among the victims were Nontlomelo Golumbiza, Nandipha Ndabeni, Nkosinathi Phutheni, Cebolenkosi Zwane, and Mbongeni Nkwanyana. The only survivor, Ntobeko Mantengu, was shot and rushed to the hospital.
On 13 November 2023, Gumede and his accomplices armed themselves and targeted Golumbiza and Ndabeni at their home, which also served as a spaza shop. Phutheni happened to be visiting at the time. “They fired several shots at the occupants and stole items including a television and mobile phones,” the judgment notes.
Golumbiza, Ndabeni, and Phutheni died at the scene. The attackers then moved to a nearby house, shooting and killing Zwane and Nkwanyana, before assaulting Mantengu at his home and leaving him injured. Gumede was later arrested while awaiting trial on a separate matter.
Prosecutor Gugu Xulu presented eyewitness accounts, ballistic evidence, and police testimonies linking Gumede to the attacks. Victim Impact Statements compiled by Court Preparation Officer Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng revealed the profound loss experienced by the families. Judge Davis acknowledged the enduring pain, stating, “The devastation left behind by these murders cannot be overstated.”
Gumede received life imprisonment for each of the five murders, 10 years for attempted murder, and 15 years for each of the two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. With each life term counted as 25 years, his total sentence amounts to 165 years. The sentences run concurrently, and he has been declared unfit to possess a firearm. His request to appeal the conviction and sentence was refused.
Ha-Luvhimbi sexual offences shock the community
In Limpopo, the Sibasa Regional Court found 40-year-old Thinavhuyo Magogodela guilty of three counts of rape and assault with intent to cause serious harm. He was sentenced to two life terms and an additional 20 years in prison. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm and ordered his name to be added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders.
Magogodela terrorised women in Ha-Luvhimbi and nearby areas between October and December 2019. He dragged his victims into the bush, raped them, and robbed them. The women were aged 18, 38, and 47; one is disabled. “He assaulted one woman in front of her children simply because she refused his advances,” the judgment says. DNA evidence linked Magogodela to the crimes.
Victim Impact Reports highlighted severe psychological and emotional harm. The court noted Magogodela had a previous conviction for a similar crime in 2011 and showed no remorse. With each life term counted as 25 years, Magogodela’s total sentence is 70 years.
Willowvale rape and robbery leaves survivor traumatised
In the Eastern Cape, the Willowvale Regional Court sentenced 30-year-old Khanyisa Golivi to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances after a home invasion on 31 May 2021. The court described Golivi’s actions as “cold, calculated, and utterly unforgivable.”
Golivi attacked a 37-year-old woman in her flat, stealing her mobile phone, purse, and bank cards before returning to blindfold and rape her repeatedly. Police quickly tracked and arrested him, recovering the stolen items, and DNA evidence confirmed his guilt.
The Victim Impact Statement compiled by Court Preparation Officer Brenda Kapa described the ongoing trauma the survivor faces, including fear, anger, reliance on alcohol, and avoidance behaviours triggered by the assault. The court found no reason to reduce Golivi’s sentence and noted his lack of remorse.
With the 25-year calculation for a life term, Golivi’s total sentence is 40 years (25 years for life plus 15 years for robbery).
Justice reinforced and deterrence emphasised
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed all three convictions. Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA Regional Spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal, commented on the Umlazi case: “We remain focused on seeking justice for the victims of crime and their families. We hope that sentences like these will deter those with similar intentions.”
Advocate Ivy Thenga, Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, said of the Ha-Luvhimbi case: “These cases offer justice and closure to victims and their families while keeping violent criminals off our streets.”
Luxolo Tyali, NPA Regional Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape, stressed the significance of the Willowvale sentence: “This ensures justice for the victim and sends a clear message that violence against women is unacceptable. Cases like this reinforce our commitment to fighting gender-based violence and ensuring offenders are removed from our communities.”
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