WESTERN CAPE – Phindile Velem (43) was sentenced by the Western Cape High Court on 3 March 2020, two times life imprisonment for the murders of Nkosithandile Pango and Maliphakame Magxwalisa.
Velem was charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances and various offences relating to contraventions of the Firearms Control Act, 60 of 2000 (“the Firearms Control Act”), including the possession of a semi-automatic firearm and ammunition.
He was acquitted on the charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances. These offences were committed against the background of taxi feuds over the protection of taxi routes and money disputes. On the evening of Thursday 22 February 2018, a taxi owner and member of the Hout Bay Taxi Association, Themba Liwani was waiting outside of a store in Main Road, Hout Bay, to transport staff members. Liwani and Magxwalisa, the murdered victim, were engaged in a conversation when the accused shot Magxwalisa. Liwani ran into the OK Mini Market and the accused followed him into the shop and shot him. Magxwalisa died of a gunshot wound to the lower back. Liwani sustained three gunshot wounds.
On 13 September 2018, Nkosithandile Pango travelled to Delft and in the vicinity of a store in Main Road, Delft, the accused and another person chased Pango and the accused shot him. He died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to his body. On 3 November 2018 near Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, the accused was found in possession of a 9mm Parabellum firearm and a FEG Luger model M80 semi-automatic pistol with several rounds of ammunition. He was unlawful in the possession of the firearm and ammunition.
In addition to the life imprisonment sentences, the accused was sentenced as follows, for the attempted murder of Themba Liwani he was sentenced to eight years direct imprisonment; for two accounts for the possession of a firearm without a license, permit or authorisation, he was sentenced to three years direct imprisonment on each account; for the three accounts for the unlawful possession of ammunition, he was sentenced to 18 months direct imprisonment on each account; for the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic firearm, he was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment.
The accused is deemed unfit to possess a firearm in accordance with the provisions of section 103(1) of the Firearms Controls Act 60 of 2000.
Furthermore, Phindile Velem’s next court appearance is scheduled at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on 08 April 2020 on one murder charge and two attempted murder charges relating to a murder of a CATA member at the Bellville Taxi Rank.
The Western Cape SAPS management has applauded the sterling work done by both the prosecution and detection teams. The conviction and sentencing of Velem will send a stern warning that crime does not pay.