While the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption, dubbed the Madlanga Commission, is underway in Pretoria, the police in KwaZulu-Natal welcome a political killing incarceration.
Sabelo Phewa, convicted of murdering Sibusiso Sithole, a Municipal Manager for the Richmond Local Municipality, was handed down a life sentence in the Pietermaritzburg High Court today, 23 September 2025.
According to Colonel Robert Netshiunda, police spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Sithole was gunned down at the Richmond Licensing Office in 2017, while on his way to a council meeting.
At the time of his death, Sithole was investigating tender fraud and corruption within the Richard Municipality. His investigations would have exposed individuals receiving kickbacks in exchange for municipal tenders.
“The SAPS Political Killings task team took over investigations in 2018, and this led to the arrest of Sabelo Phewa.
“The firearm found in his possession at the time of his arrest was found to be linked to several other murders, including that of Amos Ngcobo, whose wife had ordered his hit. The wife turned state witness and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment,” said Netshiunda.
Harsh sentence for hitman in political killings
The Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced Phewa as follows:
- Murder of Municipal Manager, Sibusiso Sithole – life imprisonment.
- Murder of Amos Ngcobo – life imprisonment.
- Attempted murder of arresting police officers – 5 years’ imprisonment.
- Possession of an unlicensed firearm – 15 years’ imprisonment.
- Unlawfully possessing ammunition – 5 years’ imprisonment.
The Political Killings Task Team came under scrutiny in July when Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkwanazi, alleged that Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, was behind its disbandment.
On 6 July, Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations that law enforcement entities in South Africa were under the influence of a syndicate comprising businesspeople, prosecutors, and judges.
This prompted President Cyril Ramphosa to institute the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry presided over by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
To date, investigations by the Political Killings Task Team have led to 30 life sentences for politically motivated murders.
National Commissioner of Police, Fannie Masemola, who testified at the Madlanga Commission last week, said: “Well done to the SAPS political killings task team for cracking this case and ensuring a lengthy conviction for the hitman. Through this case, we were able to link and solve other cases.”
