Constable Sizwe Cedrick Khoza, a cop arrested by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) for killing three family members, has been sentenced to three life terms.
The 38-year-old was sentenced for killing his wife, her sister, and her brother in Sand River Trust, Hazyview, in Mpumalanga on 30 April 2023.
COP HANDED THREE LIFE TERMS FOR MURDER
In a joint statement, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Ipid said evidence before the court is that Khoza and his wife, Nomthandazo Suzan Mnisi, 31, had marital problems, and he called a meeting with the wife’s family to assist them.
During the meeting, an argument ensued. Suzan’s brother called Khoza a small boy, which angered him.
Khoza then went to his bedroom, took out his service firearm, and went to the sitting room to show them what a small boy can do.
He fatally shot his wife, her sister Colisile Mnisi, 32, a nurse at Matikwana Hospital, and her brother, Dennis Mkhatshwa, 42.
The incident was reported to Ipid, and Khoza was subsequently arrested. He was later released on bail, and the case was postponed for further investigation.
The docket was handed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga after investigations, and the prosecutors charged Khoza with three counts of murder.
He pleaded guilty on 3 June to three counts of murder in the Mpumalanga High Court, and the case was postponed for pre-sentence reports.
On Tuesday, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for each count of murder for each count of murder.
Khoza, who was stationed at Masoyi Police Station, was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA and IPID commended the investigator and prosecutor for ensuring that Khoza was punished for his evil actions.
