The night of 29 May in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, was marred by a violent crime spree that left a trail of devastation in its wake. Two men, Bongani Makasi and Thukela Mayathula, were recently sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison for their involvement in the series of crimes that resulted in at least two deaths.
Siyabulela Stana, already serving a 120-year sentence for his role in the crimes, was the first accused in the case. The Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha handed down the sentences to Makasi and Mayathula for their part in the violent acts that unfolded on that fateful night.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the crime spree began at around 8.30pm when Nathaniel Naidoo, an on-duty security officer, witnessed the trio robbing a man. Naidoo attempted to intervene but was violently assaulted in the process. The criminals managed to steal his firearm and continued their spree.
The violence escalated as they targeted a student residence, where they held four students at gunpoint and stole laptops, mobile phones, and cash. The spree reached a horrifying climax at an abandoned building where they murdered a victim who owed money to Mayathula. The victim was shot and left to die while the criminals stole his belongings.
The final act of violence occurred outside a tavern in North End, where they robbed a patron and shot him in the thigh, leaving him to bleed to death. The trio was apprehended 10 days later during an investigation into a similar crime involving the same firearm, with two students identifying them during an ID parade.
Makasi received a 10-year sentence for robbery with aggravating circumstances, while Mayathula faced harsher sentencing: life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for each count of robbery with aggravating circumstances, 15 years for possession of a firearm, five years for possession of ammunition, eight years for kidnapping, and 10 years for attempted murder. All of Mayathula’s sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, welcomed the sentences as a strong message to criminals, emphasizing the gravity of the accused’s actions and the significant step toward justice for the victims. This case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of violent crime and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
