Two men sentenced to life for double murder in Empangeni Rail area

The Ngwelezane Regional Court has sentenced Vumani China Nxumalo (36) and Mduduzi Zulu (34) to two terms of life imprisonment following their convictions of crimes committed in the Empangeni Rail area.

The men were found guilty of the murders of Njabulo Ndlovu and Senzo Mwandla, which occurred in January 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

According to detailed statements from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the first murder took place on 29 January 2023.

Ndlovu, aged 32, was outside a tavern waiting for friends while they went inside.

During this time, Nxumalo approached him with a knife, sparking an argument. Zulu, also armed, joined the confrontation.

“A security guard attempted to intervene, but Ndlovu fled as Nxumalo and Zulu chased after him,” NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara recounted.

The chaos culminated with Ndlovu being found two days later in the bushes, having sustained multiple stab wounds.

On January 16, 2024, Mwandla was attacked while sitting in his car at the same tavern.

Nxumalo and Zulu struck again, stabbing Mwandla several times before ransacking his vehicle and fleeing with his wallet and cellphone.

Their reign of terror came to an end when police acted on a tip-off and apprehended the pair during which Zulu attempted to stab an officer, leading to an additional assault charge.

Eyewitness testimony led by state prosecutor Mpumelelo Mlambo played a crucial role in the trial.

One witness revealed seeing the accused returning to the tavern that day, their clothes stained with blood after the attack on Ndlovu.

The accounts shared in victim impact statements, delivered by court officer Seneliso Sibanda, illustrated the deep emotional scars left on the families of the victims.

Nxumalo and Zulu received life sentences for each murder charge, alongside Zulu's six-month sentence for assaulting a police officer.

Both men were declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The prosecution hailed the court’s decision as a testament to their unwavering commitment to justice.

“The NPA remains resolute in our pursuit of justice on behalf of the victims of crime and their families,” concluded Ramkisson-Kara.

DAILY NEWS