Five life terms have been handed down to cop killers in South Africa. The five on-duty police officials were murdered in 2018, while based at the Engcobo Police Station. The four accused were sentenced on Wednesday, 16 October 2024. The fifth one had pleaded guilty and was sentenced last year.

Five life terms for cop killers

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has welcomed the sentence imposed. At the time of the attack in February 2018, all the police officers in the station were disarmed of their service pistols. They were then shot and killed. At least 10 firearms including rifles, 9mm pistols and ammunition were also stolen.

Masemola says, “The Engcobo police station attack and the killing of on-duty police officers at the station is the worst display of disrespect and undermining of the rule of law.”

He says this conviction should serve as a reminder to criminals who undermine the authority of the state, that they will be caught and brought to book to face the full might of the law.

The Worst Display of Disrespect and Undermining of the rule of law

General Masemola says an attack on a police official is an attack on the authority of the state. He added that this must never be tolerated.

“We commend the investigating team inclusive of our detectives, crime scene experts, prosecutors and our courts for working tirelessly to bring justice to the families of these police officers”, added Gen Fannie Masemola.

He has also stressed the importance of respecting the fundamental rights of Police officers and other law enforcement agencies so that they can continue to exercise their mandate of better serving and protecting the people of South Africa, maintaining law and order, and upholding the rule of law.

May their souls continue to rest in peace

General Masemola says 7 others were shot and killed in 2018 during a confrontation with specialised units of the SAPS and Hawks, following the Police Station Murders. He has warned that those who attack police officers under whatever guise will be made to face the full wrath of the law through prosecution.

Warrant Officer Zuko Mbini (46), Constable Kuhle Mateta (27), Constable Nkosiphendule Pongco (32), Constable Sibongiseni Sandlana (32) and Constable Zuko Nelson Ntsheku (38) died in the 2018-Attack. He says their killers have now been brought to justice. Masemola says the SAPS flag continues to fly because men and women in blue, who like them, have died defending it.

MORE ABOUT: The Ngcobo Police Killings (Wikipedia)