Family of slain Richmond municipal manager seeks justice after court verdict

The family of slain Richmond Local municipal manager Sibusiso Edward Sithole is hoping for the Pietermaritzburg High Court to sentence the ‘arrogant’ Sabelo Phewa to life imprisonment for the murder of their brother. 

Phewa was found guilty this week for the murders of Sithole, Amos Ngcobo, and the attempted murder of Lucky Bongani Ngema, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

Sithole, who was fighting tender corruption in the Richmond Municipality, was gunned down on March 6, 2017, at his workplace while he was inside his car.

He died at the scene due to gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and limbs. Additionally, Phewa shot and killed Ngcobo at KwaNyuswa in his home on June 12, 2017. 

Sithole's younger sister, Sibongile Sithole-Hlatshwayo, said the family had given up on the justice system because of how the murder case dragged on. 

She said that as a family, they decided to stop attending the trial as Phewa constantly changed legal representatives, and on some occasions, he would tell the court that he was sick, and the matter would not continue. 

Sithole-Hlatshwayo said what hurt them more as a family was how arrogant Phewa was in court, and he showed no remorse. “He had an attitude, and we decided that we could not continue to hurt ourselves.” 

She claimed that while they were in court this week, the police contacted and enquired as to why they weren't there as the judge was set to render her decision. She claimed that they were appreciative when they contacted them later to inform them of the court's decision.

Additionally, she said, hope has been restored. “It has been long overdue, but we are happy. We are yet to find time to sit down and tell our mother the news,” Sithole-Hlatshwayo added. 

She said they are hoping for the court to sentence Phewa to life imprisonment, and maybe he would learn a lesson when he is no longer in the society where he played God. 

Talking about her brother, Sithole-Hlatshwayo said he was a smart and ambitious man who loved his family. 

“Whenever we are all together, we always miss him. He advocated for education and respect, and he loved all our kids like his,” she explained.

She said that when her brother was appointed as the municipal manager, he wanted to develop the Richmond area. 

Delivering her judgement, Judge Rithy Singh said the State, led by prosecutor advocate Nhlanhla Shange, proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Phewa committed all the crimes he was charged with. 

She said in the final analysis, the ballistic evidence showed that Sithole and Ngcobo were killed with the same firearm that Phewa had been caught in possession of. 

She found the evidence of State witnesses corroborative. Additionally, Judge Singh described Phewa as a dishonest witness who could not explain why his evidence-in-chief and on cross-examination was contradictory.

She said Phewa, who ended up representing himself, decided not to call any witnesses. 

According to her,  she dismissed Phewa when he applied for Section 174 to be acquitted of all his charges. 

“I was of the opinion that there was evidence upon which a reasonable court may convict,” Judge Singh said. 

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