On the 15 December 2010, a 38 year old South African Police Service (SAPS) Sergeant, Mpho Richard Ntsala, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for murder. Sgt Ntsala’s conviction follows the Independent Complaints Directorate’s (ICD) investigation into the shooting of then 36 year old Mr Teboho Bantu Mkwanazi in Maokeng, Free State on 3 February 2007. Sgt Ntsala was stationed at SAPS Kroonstad Dog Unit at the time of the incident.
The allegations were that there was an argument between Sgt Ntsala and the deceased over a girlfriend. The police officer then went to his vehicle and took a firearm and shot the deceased once on the chest. Mr Mkwanazi died on the scene.
The ICD took over the matter for investigation which culminated in the court appearance and subsequent conviction of Sgt Ntsala for murder on 1 December 2010 at the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court. He appeared again at the same court on 15 December 2010 and was handed a 10 year prison sentence, half of which was suspended for three years. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Source: Independent Complaints Directorate
SAPS sergeant sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for murder: Maokeng
