On 15 December 2010, a 38 year-old SAPS Sergeant, Mpho Richard Ntsala, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for murder. Sergeant 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. Sergeant Ntsala was stationed at SAPS Kroonstad Dog Unit at the time of the incident.
The allegations were that there was an argument between Sergeant 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 convictiagain at the same court on 15 December 2010 and was handed a 10-year prison sentenceon of Sgt Ntsala for murder on 1 December 2010 at the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court. He appeared, half of which was suspended for three years. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Source: Independent Complaints Directorate
South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for murder: Maokeng CAS 24/02/2007
