KWAZULU-NATAL – On Monday, 6 October 2025, Ntuzuma Regional Court sentenced Thembokwakhe Xulu (27) and Nkululeko Ntuli (29) for murder of Warrant Officer Maqhawe Sithole (54) who was shot at Amatikwe area in Inanda.
On 24 June 2021, Warrant Officer Sithole was playing snooker with his friend at the tuckshop. He then went outside to meet his partner, when the partner left Warrant Officer Sithole had an argument with the accused. The accused fired several shots at him and robbed him of his service pistol. He was taken to hospital for medical attention and he succumbed to his injuries two days later. A case of murder was reported at Inanda police station.
On 29 June 2021, members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Durban Public Order Policing arrested the first accused Thembokwakhe Xulu. Police continued with their investigation and arrested the second accused, Nkululeko Ntuli. During the arrest, Ntuli was found in possession of two unlicensed firearms. One of the firearm was later identified as a state firearm that was robbed from the late Warrant Officer Sithole and the other one was used as a murder weapon.
The accused appeared in court and their bail was successfully opposed. They were remanded in custody until they were found guilty on 25 July 2025. Xulu was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for murder. Ntuli was also sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for murder, 5 years imprisonment for theft of state firearm, 13 years imprisonment for possession of the first unlicensed firearm and another 13 years imprisonment for possession of the second unlicensed firearm. Sixteen years of Ntuli’s sentence will run concurrently which means he will only serve 28 years imprisonment.
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Lesetja Senona welcomed the sentence and applauded the members for the good work.