Law enforcers behind bars

TWO traffic police officers and a former policeman have been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for murder,

The case arises from an incident on 14 May 2013 when the police responded to a culpable homicide report on the R66 near Wombane outside eShowe.

On arrival, the police found the body of a man lying in the road.

There were no signs of him being hit by a vehicle, but he appeared to have been assaulted.

They identified the deceased as Thokozani Mdaphuna Langa (45) who they had seen earlier while investigating a Sunnydale housebreaking report.

Two traffic officers had handcuffed Langa and were assaulting him, accusing him of stealing their belongings.

Three traffic officers, Archibald Sphesihle Msani (35), Sbusiso Goodman Mbatha (32) and Lindani Nkosinathi Mvelase (45), and Sihle Msizi Xulu

(32) (a crime intelligence officer who resigned after the case was opened against him and his co accused), were arrested.

Mvelase was only charged with assault and not for murder.

The eShowe Regional Court sentenced Msani, Mbatha and Xulu to 12 years imprisonment for murder.

Msani and Mbatha were also fined R3 000 for assault or 12 months imprisonment.

Mvelase was ordered to pay a fine of R3 000 or 12 months imprisonment for assault.