WESTERN CAPE – The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile lauded the efforts of the investigating officer and the prosecution team who all contributed to the conviction and sentencing of Thando Sintwa on a charge of murder.
Two female tourists from Polokwane visited Mzoli’s restaurant in Gugulethu during November 2014 as part of their itinerary to Cape Town. Whilst she and her twin sister enjoyed the activities, the victim was robbed of her personal belongings and shot at close range, where she was declared deceased. The investigating officer assigned to the case went the extra mile in a bid to arrest the suspect. His efforts was rewarded when he arrested and detained a 24-year-old man on a charge of murder in the year 2015.
The arrest of the suspect paved the way for a lengthy trial. The investigating officer Sergeant Mahlube Mbityana stood his ground in court and stated the facts to the honourable court without wavering his testimony. He was praised for providing credible testimony in court.
On Friday 23 September 2022, the now 31-year-old Thando Sintwa was sentenced to an effective 20 years behind bars for the murder of Mmnako Themane in November 2014.
Source: South African Police Service