Masemola welcomes life sentence handed to Ngcobo police killers
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has welcomed the five life terms handed down to each of the accused in the Ngcobo police station attack.
The incident left five on-duty police officers dead in 2018.
On Wednesday, the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha sentenced four members of the controversial Seven Angels church who were convicted of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking, and the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
According to investigators, Andani Monco, Phumzile Mhlatywa, Kwanele Ndlwana, and Siphosomzi Tshefu stormed the police station in February 2021, killing the officers and stealing firearms and ammunition.
Tshefu, Ndlwana, and Monco were arrested at the church a few days after the attack on the station. Seven other suspects, including three church leaders, were killed during a shootout with the police.
A fifth accused, Siphesihle Tatsi, was sentenced to an effective 18-year direct imprisonment after entering a plea deal with the state.
Masemola has described the Engcobo police station attack as the worst display of disrespect and undermining of the rule of law.
He added that the conviction served as a reminder to criminals who undermine the state's authority that they will be caught and brought to book.
“We commend the investigating team, inclusive of our detectives, crime scene experts, prosecutors, and our courts, for working tirelessly to bring justice to the families of these police officers,” said Masemola.
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