Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Khephu Ndlovu has been found guilty of accepting a bribe to fudge evidence in a 2018 ANC murder case.
Image: File
Two high-ranking cops have been found guilty by the Pinetown Regional Court for accepting a R120 000 bribe to weaken a 2018 murder case of Thulani Nxumalo who was an ANC branch leader of KwaNdengezi.
Now retired Lieutenant-Colonel Khephu Ndlovu and Captain Bonginkosi Dlamini were bribed by their co-accused, Sibongile Ndlovu, who brought them the bribe in a bag at the Durban Central Police station parking lot.
Sibongile wanted her husband Felokwakhe Ndlovu, who was arrested by Dlamini to be acquitted of the 2018 murder charge. The couple and their adult son, Lindokuhle, were also found guilty by this court.
They were all charged with defeating the ends of justice and corruption.
When the cops received the bribe, the interference plan was set in motion and Dlamini had been pulled off the case.
The court heard that Dlamini instructed state witness Celani Dlamini to withdraw his statement regarding Nxumalo’s murder case. He also told him that his life would be in danger if he continued as a state witness.
Meanwhile, Ndlovu interfered by contacting members who were investigating Nxumalo’s murder.
After his conviction, retired Ndlovu, who had been out on bail during the trial, was taken to Westville prison.
During the commission of the crime, Ndlovu was a senior officer in the Visible Policing Unit of the SAPS at the Bhekithemba Police Station and served as a police spokesperson in the Durban South District.
Co-accused Captain Dlamini who remained in custody for the duration of the trial after his bail was denied, was at the time of the commission of the offence deployed in the national political task team. He was an investigating officer in Nxumalo’s murder case.
From left Captain Bonginkosi Dlamini, Sibongile Ndlovu, Felokwakhe Ndlovu, Lt. Colonel Khephu Ndlovu and Lindokuhle Ndlovu who were found guilty of defeating the ends of justice.
Image: Nomonde Zondi
Felokwakhe is also serving his life sentence after the Durban High Court found him guilty of paying a hitman R2 000 to kill his cousin Nxumalo.
Nxumalo had been against Felokwakhe who was the induna (headman) of KwaNdengezi selling land meant for community development.
Delivering his judgement, Magistrate Muntukayise Khumalo, said the court was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the truth was established in this matter.
“Upon a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence, the Court is satisfied that the prosecution has proven the charges against all five accused beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Magistrate Khumalo.
The matter was adjourned to sentencing at the end of this month.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za
