Sabelo Phewa has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Sibusiso Sithole, the municipal manager of Richmond Local Municipality who was killed in 2017 while probing corruption within the council.
Hitman linked to political killing of Sibusiso Sithole sentenced to life
According to court records, Sithole was gunned down outside the Richmond Licensing Office in KwaZulu-Natal as he made his way to a council meeting. At the time, he was investigating allegations of fraud and kickbacks involving tenders.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Political Killings Task Team took over the case in 2018.
Investigators later linked Phewa to multiple murders after seizing a firearm during his arrest.
Ballistic tests showed it was also used in the killing of Amos Ngcobo, whose wife admitted to ordering the hit and later turned state witness, receiving a five-year prison term.
Judge-led proceedings today handed Phewa the following sentences:
- Life imprisonment for the murder of Sibusiso Sithole.
- Life imprisonment for the murder of Amos Ngcobo.
- Five years for attempted murder of police officers during his arrest.
- 15 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm.
- Five years for unlawful possession of ammunition.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola welcomed the judgment, praising the task team:
“Well done to the SAPS Political Killings Task Team for cracking this case and ensuring a lengthy conviction for the hitman. Through this case, we were able to link and solve other cases such as the murder of Amos Ngcobo. The number of life sentences secured by the task team is now more than 30 for several hitmen and hit orderers,” he said.
Explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission
The conviction coincides with the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating corruption and political interference within policing.
On Day 5 of hearings, National Police Commissioner Masemola concluded two days of testimony.
Masemola alleged that efforts to disband the Political Killings Task Team were not procedural but aimed at protecting criminal cartels under investigation.
He told the commission that phone records from a separate attempted murder case implicated Deputy Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya in pushing for the team’s closure.
Masemola said the timing suggested attempts to shield certain cartel members from investigation.
The commissioner also clashed with questions about former Police Minister Bheki Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave.
While Masemola conceded that Mchunu raised valid concerns about contracts, he criticised what he described as “ministerial interference” when Mchunu attempted to mediate tensions between him and Sibiya.
Human rights monitor Mary de Haas was also mentioned, with Masemola dismissing her complaints about the task team as unfounded. However, Commissioner Sesi Baloyi of the inquiry said such allegations should still be taken seriously.
The inquiry resumes later this week with further testimony expected to probe claims of links between senior police officials and organised crime networks.