ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.

LIMPOPO: A man who shot his wife, his child and the wife's four relatives, killing two, has been sentenced to 35 years direct imprisonment by the Polokwane High Court yesterday. Ally Thabo Molobela (37) was convicted of two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and pointing a firearm. The court heard that Molobela, who was a security officer and his wife had marital issues, which remained unresolved when he went on a shooting spree. On 19 August 2023, he arrived at his in-laws's home in Makgophong village and started shooting the victims inside his car. His wife's cousin and sister died instantly, whereas his wife, child and other family members survived with injuries. He was sentenced to 25 years for murder and another 25 years for attempted murder. The sentences will run concurrently. He also received ten years for each count of attempted murder. 

EASTERN CAPE: The police have launched a manhunt for three suspects linked to the murder of Fort Hare University vice chancellor's bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele. The suspects, Bafana Chiliza (24), Nkosiyazi 'Dipopoz' Maphumulo (28) and 35-year-old Siphiwo 'Spijojo' Jejane, are believed to be in hiding between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Vesele was shot dead in January last year while seated in his car outside the vice chancellor's house. He was confirmed dead at the scene. A murder case was opened at Alice police station for investigation. Ten suspects, including three university employees who are allegedly behind the plot, were arrested early this year after an investigation by the National Task Team investigating political-related cases. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said that the suspects orchestrated the murder so they could be awarded security tenders at the institution. Police are appealing to anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the investigating officers warrant officer Nkosi on 082 557 5789, Sergeant Mokoena on 081 851 7758, and Sergeant Khorommbi on 063 695 8590.

EASTERN CAPE: The Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda has sentenced Yonela Mbaxa to 20 years imprisonment for the murder of her boyfriend, Sibusiso Ncedo, in August 2022. The court heard that Mbaxa (29) and Ncedo, both from Ntywenka Location in Nqaqarhu, spent the evening drinking with neighbours when she discovered that he had recently acquired a gun. She later took the gun and hid it from him. A dispute escalated the following morning when, in a fit of anger over allegations of infidelity, Mbaxa followed Ncedo outside as he attempted to leave the house and fired two shots, one of which struck him in the back, killing him instantly. According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, Mbaxa initially claimed that Ncedo had killed himself but the post-mortem findings, which revealed a gunshot wound to his back, ruled out this possibility. In her second statement, she claimed that the shooting occurred during a struggle over the firearm. "This explanation was dismissed by expert ballistic analysis, which concluded that Ncedo was likely shot while attempting to flee. The inquest into Ncedo's death was initially closed unresolved, but following expert testimony, it was determined that the most probable scenario was that Mbaxa shot Ncedo as he was trying to escape," Tyali said. Mbaxa pleaded guilty to all charges on 28 October 2024 and was sentenced yesterday.