Four men have been sentenced to a combined 20 life terms plus 494 years in prison for their involvement in the murder of five people during a traditional ceremony in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Madadeni High Court sentenced Phakamani Khumalo (27), Bongisipho Khumalo (23), Ndabenhle Khumalo (26) and Mzomuhle Zondi (27) on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
They were convicted of five counts of murder, attempted murder, robbery of a firearm, house robbery, motor vehicle robbery, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The men stormed a homestead in the Nyezane area on 27 October 2024, wearing balaclavas and armed with AK-47 rifles and handguns. They opened fire during a traditional ceremony, killing five people and injuring another.
One victim returned fire with a licensed firearm before being overpowered and robbed of the weapon.
Police investigations led officers to a hospital where Phakamani Khumalo was receiving treatment for a gunshot wound sustained during the attack.
The other three suspects were arrested at a hideout in Acaciaville, Ladysmith, where police recovered two AK-47 rifles, two pistols, a .38 revolver, ammunition and the getaway vehicle. One of the recovered firearms was allegedly the weapon stolen from the victim.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba praised detectives and community members whose information helped police locate the suspects.
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