A man has been sentenced to 241 years in prison for the mass murders of eNgcobo police officers in 2018. Siphesihle Tatsi (23) is one of five people who were charged with the mass murders of five on-duty police officers and a retired soldier in 2018. Tatsi pleaded guilty to 22 counts which included six murders, attempted murders, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as malicious damage to property. His co-accused, Phumzile Mhlatywa (51), Phandani Monco (35), Kwanele Ndlwana (27), and Siphosomzi Tshefu (25) pleaded not guilty and opted to go on trial. 

THE MURDERS

The group allegedly stormed the eNgcobo Police Station in the Eastern Cape in the early hours of 21 February 2018n and randomly opened fire on cops on duty. Three police officers were killed inside the community service centre and an off-duty soldier was shot dead as the suspects were fleeing the scene. The suspects kidnapped two more police officers and their bodies were later found dumped six kilometers from the police station with gunshot wounds. 

THE ARRESTS AND CHARGES

Days after the incident, the police received a tip-off that members of a church called Seven Angels, run by seven Mancoba brothers were involved in the police mass murder. When the police wanted to search the church, they were met with a hail of bullets, and seven church members were shot dead in the exchange of fire with the police. Three of those killed were named as part of the Mancoba brothers who were church leaders. Ten firearms, a police van, and bulletproof vests were found at the church premises during a raid. Shortly after the murders, 12 suspects were arrested but charges against some were withdrawn. The suspects were charged with six counts of murder, six attempted murders, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and malicious damage to property.

THE SENTENCE 

Hawks national spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale says 19 of the counts will run concurrently meaning Tatsi will spend an effective 18 years in prison. Col Mogale says some pleaded guilty but four others decided to go on trial. He was sentenced to 12 years for each of the two attempted murders, 18 years for each of the five murders, 10 years for housebreaking, eight years for each of the three counts of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, five years for possession of ammunition, 10 years for conspiracy, 10 years each count for five robberies, 18 years for one count of robbery, and 10 years for robbery with aggregated circumstances. Mogale said the sentencing of Tatsi was the result of a meticulous investigation by Mthatha Hawks.

POLICE INVESTIGATIONS PRAISED

A month after the shooting police demolished the controversial church which was widely welcomed by members of the community. The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya praised the EC Hawks Provincial Head Major General Obed Ngwenya, and his team, the Mthatha Serious Organised Crime Investigation for sterling efforts in making sure that Tatsi is dealt with the full might of the law. "Murder of police officers is a crime against the State and will not be tolerated. The DPCI will deal with perpetrators of such atrocities without fear or favour in ensuring that they spend the remainder of their natural lives behind bars", said General Lebeya. Mhlatywa, Monco, Ndlwana, and Tshefu will be back in court on the 15th of September for the trial.