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Three men were sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a Bishop and a church leader in separate incidents in Mthatha in 2017.
Police said Mfundo Mafa, Babini Mangala and Bezile Nokwabuza were sentenced in the Mthatha High Court on Thursday for the murders of Reformed Presbyterian Church steward Zolisa Kolwane and Methodist Bishop for the Clarkebury district, Thembinkosi Fandaleki.
They were killed in separate incidents near the Mthatha railway station.
Kolwane was sitting in his car with a sex worker when they were attacked by two armed men who also robbed them of their belongings.
“Kolwane was shot in the head by Mafa and Mangala and later died in hospital. The sex worker was also injured but survived,” said provincial police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni.
He said in the second incident, Thembinkosi Fandaleki was also sitting in his car with a sex worker when they were accosted by three men who shot and robbed them of their belongings.
“Fandaleki was shot in the chest and was found dead in his car while the sex worker survived the incident.”
Tonjeni said Mafa and Mangala were both sentenced for the murders, two counts of armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms with intent to commit an offence and unlawful possession of ammunition.
“Nokwabuza was sentenced for murder, armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, the unlawful possession of firearms with an intent to commit an offence and unlawful possession of ammunition,” he added.
During investigations, items belonging to the victims were also recovered.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga, welcomed the court outcomes.
