Mbulaheni Mmbengwa

Serial killer

7known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: South Africa
Location: Thohoyandou area , South Africa
Date of birth: October 10, 1966
Age at first offence: 30
Characteristics: robbery, escape
Victim profile: Azwitheli Lactor Mugwebu (A griculture department official ) / Constance Khosa, 34 / Thomas Gundula, 36 ( Vhuwani police Inspector ) / Bernard Nevhuthalu, 46 ( Pietersburg police Sergeant ) / Lawrence Muofhe, 33 / Doris Kenyaletso Ravutho and Johannes Mukhawana
Method of murder: Shooting
Date(s) of murder: 1996 - 1998
Years active: 1996–1998
Date of arrest: January 1998
Status: Life imprisonment
Sentenced to seven life sentences and an additional 45 years on July 24, 2001

Case Summary

Background

Mbulaheni Mmbengwa was one of seven children. He attended school up to standard five. He was married to Takalani Lydia Mmbengwa and had four children.

The offence

Mmbengwa was first charged for culpable homicide and was sentenced to six years. He served four years because the other two years were suspended.

After that, he was linked to many offences following his arrest on November 14, 1996 at Silverton.

His victims were often couples he found making love in their cars. One victim was an agricultural department official and two victims were policemen. Mmbengwa killed seven people between May 1996 and January 1998 in the Thohoyandou area, including an agricultural department official and two policemen.

Mmbengwa shot Azwitheli Lactor Mugwebu, a Northern Province agriculture department official, at least 14 times in October 1997.

Other named victims included Constance Khosa, Vhuwani police Inspector Thomas Gundula, Pietersburg police Sergeant Bernard Nevhuthalu, Lawrence Muofhe, Doris Kenyaletso Ravutho and Johannes Mukhawana.

The murders were committed at Mutoti, Dumasi, Mulendane and Tshilungoma villages near Thohoyandou.

Mmbengwa received seven life sentences for seven murders.

Investigation

Mmbengwa was arrested in a rented shack in Kagiso on the West Rand after an intensive manhunt. Top police investigative psychologist Elmarie Myburgh helped track Mmbengwa.

Arrest

Mmbengwa was arrested on November 14, 1996 at Silverton and linked to many offences.

On the same day of his arrest, Mmbengwa escaped from the Silverton Police station.

Investigation, after arrest

After he escaped, he was re-arrested and 23 charges were laid against him. Many of these charges were of murder.

Sentencing

On July 24, 2001, Mmbengwa was handed seven life sentences and an additional 45 years in a packed Thohoyandou High Court.

Judge Gibson Makhanya said when passing sentence that Mmbengwa did not deserve to return to the community.

Mmbengwa was handed:

seven life sentences for seven murders
an additional 20 years for two robberies
15 for robbery with aggravating circumstances
five for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
three for escape
two for the possession of an illegal firearm
one for the illegal possession of ammunition The sentence for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition would run concurrently.

Other details

Azwitheli Lactor Mugwebu was shot at least 14 times in October 1997.

The murders occurred in the Thohoyandou area between May 1996 and January 1998.

Mmbengwa’s additional offences and their sentence components totalled 45 years.

Outcome

Mmbengwa received seven life sentences and an additional 45 years on July 24, 2001.

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