A former police officer from Mpumalanga will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the brutal and senseless murder of his friend.
The Nelspruit Regional Court sentenced 38-year-old Saeed Sipho Dlamini, once stationed at the Belfast Police Station, to life imprisonment for the murder of his acquaintance, Xolani Brown Lubisi.
The court handed him another 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
FORMER MPUMALANGA POLICE OFFICER MURDERS FRIEND
According to court evidence, Dlamini and Lubisi met at a tavern in Kaapmuiden on 31 March 2014.
The two men, who were drinking together, later left for Nelspruit in Lubisi’s vehicle.
Somewhere along the N4, Dlamini, seated in the back seat, pulled out his service pistol and shot Lubisi in the back of the head.
He disposed the body near Machadodorp and sped off in the victim’s car.
PATROL OFFICER STOPS DLAMINI DEAD IN HIS TRACKS
A patrolling police officer later noticed the speeding vehicle and tried to stop it.
When the driver refused to pull over, the officer called for backup, and they eventually intercepted the car.
The police officers found bloodstains and bullet damage inside the car.
When questioned, Dlamini flashed his police ID and claimed the blood belonged to his child, who had supposedly been in an accident.
However, the lie did not hold up for long.
The patrolling officer arrested Dlamini for drunk driving, and a deeper investigation quickly linked him to the murder.
DNA EVIDENCE SEALS FORMER MPUMALANGA POLICE OFFICER’S FATE
During the trial, Dlamini denied any involvement, but the state, led by Prosecutor John Mahlwele, presented a watertight case.
DNA from Dlamini’s clothing matched the victim’s blood, and testimonies from witnesses aligned with the evidence.
Additionally, Lubisi’s sister gave consistent testimony and a post-mortem confirmed that Lubisi had died from a gunshot wound to the head.
COURT HANDS LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Magistrate Greveinstein described the murder as “premeditated, brutal, and senseless,” noting that Dlamini had shown no regard for human life.
Besides the life imprisonment sentence for murder and 15 years for robbery, Dlamini received five years for defeating the ends of justice and one year for drunk driving.
The court also declared him unfit to own a firearm.
NPA SAYS JUSTICE IS SERVED
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the judgment, saying it reinforces the principle that the value of human life is beyond measure.
The NPA’s regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, added that they remain committed to ensuring justice for all victims of violent crime across Mpumalanga.
