Kwazakele shooting: Two men sentenced for murder and attempted murder
Two men have been sentenced for their roles in the tragic Kwazakele shooting that claimed a life and left another injured.
In September 2024, a shooting in Kwazakele resulted in the death of 27-year-old Sipho Mahlinza and injuries to a female passenger. The incident occurred when Mahlinza and three friends, already stranded due to a vehicle malfunction, encountered two men who offered assistance. A disagreement ensued over whether one of the men should be given a lift, leading to the shooting.
According to Capt Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, SAPS responded to the scene on September 1, 2024. In January 2025, the investigation was transferred to the Nelson Mandela Bay Intervention Task Team, which led to the arrest of the two suspects in January 2025. Both men were convicted and sentenced in July 2026 and August 17, respectively.
Accused 1, Kuhle Matawe, aged 21, was found guilty on all five charges and received concurrent prison terms for Counts 1 through 3 and Counts 4 and 5. He was also deemed unfit to possess a firearm. Accused 2, Simphiwe Tshukuse, 24, was sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment for Robbery with Aggravating Circumstances, with two years suspended for five years, and he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Acting District Commissioner Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo praised the Nelson Mandela Bay Intervention Task Team for their perseverance in bringing the perpetrators to justice, as well as the contribution of Public Prosecutor Mrs Melani Hammet.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
