On Wednesday 16 February 2022, Pietermaritzburg High Court convicted and sentenced Ndumiso Memela (26) to 20 years imprisonment for murder and robbery of Sergeant Thembinkosi Buthelezi.
On 21 September 2018 Sergeant Buthelezi who was stationed at Kokstad K9 unit was fatally shot and robbed of his service pistol while he was off duty at Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg. A case of murder was reported at Plessislaer police station and the case docket was allocated to Hawks members from Pietermaritzburg Serious Organised Crime Investigation for a thorough investigation.
Sergeant Buthelizi’s service pistol was recovered in Mamela’s vehicle in the Inanda area the following day. Memela claimed that he was hijacked the previous day and was eventually arrested at the Copsville area, Pietermaritzburg in January 2020. He was charged with murder and armed robbery.
Mamela appeared in court several times until he was convicted and sentenced yesterday. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for murder and 15 years imprisonment for robbery. His sentence will run concurrently.