An Eastern Cape man who terrorised Booysens Park, in Port Elizabeth between 2011 and 2013, was jailed for life in the city's high court.
The 27-year-old, Tulani Dikana, was given three life sentences plus and additional 95 years this week for a shooting spree at two taverns in the area which left three people dead.
"In 2011 police received information about four suspicious occupants in a vehicle in Booyens Park. The vehicle was spotted and stopped. Dikana was found in possession of three firearms (.38 revolver, 9mm pistol and a7.65 pistol). He was arrested and charged for unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition," police said in a statement.
"In another incident in May, 2013, He visited a tavern in Booysens Park. He recognised two people with whom he had a previous altercation with ten years ago. He opened fire in the tavern, fatally wounding Xolani Gqo (32 years) . He then went outside, shot and killed Mbuyisile Sibobi (35 years) . He returned inside the tavern and robbed the patrons of their belongings. Police were investigating two cases of murder and 2 cases of armed robbery. He was not arrested however police were looking for him."
Several people were also wounded in the separate attacks
"In December 2013, he visited another tavern in Booysens Park where he fired randomly at the patrons. Jonas Nbowanba (49 years) was fatally wounded while another three people sustained injuries. He also robbed the patrons of their belongings. Dikana was identified through CCTV footage at the tavern. Police opened a murder, 3 cases of attempted murder and 3 cases of armed robbery," police said.
Ironically, Dikana was arrested in Mthatha when he was recognised by an off-duty policeman from Bethelsdorp, Port Elizabeth.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said Dikana was positively linked to all the cases against him through DNA, ballistic tests, photo ID's and video footage.
The cluster commander for Mount Road cluster commended the investigating team at SAPS Bethelsdorp.
"We are proud to see that hard work and dedication trumped above criminality and that our police members are working hard to ensure that criminals like Dikana are removed from our streets" he said.
All his sentences will run concurrently.
