Two life sentences for ‘fridge murderers’
Convicted murderers and robbers Irvin Brown Nkosi (22) and Sibusiso Charles Sibanyoni (29) have been sentenced to two life imprisonment and 21 years each by the Middelburg High Court on Wednesday, while their accomplice, Bongani Joseph Ncongwane (25) was sentenced to spend 30 years of his life behind bars.
In the night of 05 January 2013 the trio stormed a house in Belfast, Mpumalanga in the and severely assaulted a couple before forcing them into a fridge where they were found dead by the police.
The suspects fled the scene with two firearms belonging to each of the deceased, using the deceased’s Toyota Prado and was later found damaged and abandoned along the N4. Six days later the trio continued their reign of terror and robbed a house in Carolina and also severely assaulted the owner. They robbed a Nissan Hardbody and used it as a gate away vehicle.
The Hawks, who were hot on the heels of the suspects, finally cornered the trio in Mamelodi East on 12 January 2013. The suspects started a shoot-out with police but their escape attempts were all in vain.
During their arrest the Nkosi and Ncongwane were found in possession of the firearm which was stolen during the robbery at Belfast. The life sentences were welcomed by the Acting Head of the Hawks Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza who applauded the investigating team for what he termed ‘a good job well done’.
He said the sentence should deter other criminals from committing the same crimes. “Securing a life sentence is a milestone and our investigators deserve a pat in the back. These kinds of sentences serves as a proof that the Hawks have claws and we bite,” said Ntlemeza.
Enquiries:
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi
Cell: 082 373 2408
