WESTERN CAPE – The Western Cape Hawks’ Head Major General Makgato applauded the resilience, perseverance and meticulous investigation and prosecution by the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority after yet another accused was sentenced for the murder of a police official.
The Western Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa, Cape Town, on 04 August 2026, sentenced Gcinikhaya Mbukula (38) for a series of crimes including a murder of a police official. Mbukula was sentenced to life imprisonment with additional 57 years imprisonment.
The sentence was handed down as follows:
- Count 1 and 5: Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 30 years imprisonment (combined)
- Count 2: Kidnapping: 5 years imprisonment.
- Count 3: Murder of police official: life imprisonment.
- Count 4: Attempted murder: 5 years imprisonment.
- Count 6: Possession of an unlicensed firearm: 15 years imprisonment.
- Count 7: Possession of ammunition: 2 years imprisonment.
The sentences imposed on count 1,2,4,5,6 and 7 are to run concurrently with the sentence imposed on count 3. Mbukula will effectively serve life imprisonment.
This stems from November 2021, when members of Table View SAPS responded to a complaint of business robbery at Killarney Gardens. On arrival at the scene, they were confronted by armed men, who opened fire at them. The exchange of fire ensued which resulted in the fatal shooting of Sergeant Molema whereas his colleague sustained gunshot wounds. The suspects robbed the firearms of the two SAPS members, however, they were later recovered on the crime scene.
The other accused on this matter, Luyanda Fuzile, has since been sentenced in 2023, to life imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty. The trial for the two remaining accused, Baxolele Matolo and Vusumzi Nyanda, will resume on 11 August 2026.
