Life sentences for highway cop killers

TWO of the men responsible for a dramatic shooting on the N3 highway in Gauteng that claimed the lives of two police officers three years ago, are set to spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Sandile Nyathikazi and Lucky Nzama were sentenced to 125 years in prison along with two life sentences after they were convicted on three counts of murder, attempted murder, three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and other charges.

Nyathikazi and Nzama were two members of a gang that tried to rob a truck transporting cellphones and cellphone parts from OR Tambo International Airport to a logistics company in Edenvale. According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the trial revealed the men’s eight other conspirators.

The men recruited security officers escorting the truck, and even the driver was allegedly involved. On March 27, 2015, they hijacked a Mercedes-Benz that would be used in the robbery two days later. On March 29, three police officers from Sandringham noticed a BMW driving recklessly. They gave chase and managed to stop the car on the N3 near the Edenvale off-ramp. But before the officers could get out of their vehicle, the Mercedes stopped behind them and men from both vehicles opened fire on the police car.

“The police officers and their vehicle were riddled with bullets. One of the police officers was shot dead in the back seat,” said Mjonondwane.

A second officer died at the scene, while his colleague managed to avoid the gunfire. The gunmen fled, but were later arrested in KwaZulu-Natal with the help of the SAPS crime intelligence unit.

At their burials, the officers, Constables Mthokozisi Myeza and Casey Mafokoane, were described as guardians of their community whose untimely deaths had robbed the SAPS of two fine members.

The trial against Nyathikazi and Nzama was complex, according to Mjonondwane, who congratulated State Advocate David Mothibe in securing a conviction against the men. The State had to prove the admissibility of a confession by Nzama, who had admitted to being part of the offence. The NPA welcomed the sentences.