Thembalethu Jibiliza, who was 27 at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, of which two years was suspended for five years, for the rape and gruesome killing of 24-year-old Devedene Du Plessis last year.
Thembalethu Jibiliza, who was 27 at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, of which two years was suspended for five years, for the rape and gruesome killing of 24-year-old Devedene Du Plessis last year.
On 1 May 2015, the severely beaten victim was found on the road. She had sustained wounds to her head, face and body. Detectives had no idea where the crime scene was.
During an intense investigation under the leadership of Captain Jurgens Gouws, a seasoned detective stationed with the Grahamstown detectives, Detective Warrant Officer Teresa Annandale and the K9 Unit of East London, the team managed to locate the scene.
It was at a back room on the premises at Newtown Extension. The room was locked with a padlock from the outside. On entering the room they found several possible clues that could assist them with the investigation. They identified a possible suspect as “Spikiri", real name Thembalethu Jibiliza.
On 3 May, Jibiliza was arrested. During an interview he denied having anything to do with the murder, instead blaming a friend. The investigating officer in this case was Detective Constable Andre Brown.
Madolwana Lonwabo Ponkie, who was 20 at the time of his arrest in 2014, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, of which five years was suspended for five years, for the fatal stabbing of Bulelani Yose, 24, at Extension 8 on 3 August 2013.
On 2 August, the deceased was in the company of others when the suspect started to fight with another person. The deceased then questioned the suspect as to why he was fighting, at which stage the suspect stabbed him in the chest. He died on the way to hospital. Detective Warrant Officer Zukile Mpiyane was the investigating officer in this case.
Three accused were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and were also declared unfit to possess a firearm in a case of housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery.
At approximately 1.20am on 26 September last year, two members of the SAPS on patrol received a complaint of a house robbery that had taken place at Hillsview Road in Grahamstown. On their way to the scene they noticed three men walking out of the BP Garage at the corner of Beaufort and Bathurst Streets.
They stopped, questioned and searched all three. On their persons they found several valuable items including cash. The men could not give an account of how they acquired the items. Police placed all three in the patrol vehicle and drove to the house where the scene of crime was.
The victim was being treated by paramedics. During a brief interview, the victim stated that he would be able to identify his attackers. After being attended by the paramedics, he went with the police officers to the vehicle and he identified all three if them.
Luvuyo Maswana, 24, Gideon Dlepu, 31 and Lunga Ntlokwana, 29, were all arrested and detained.
The investigating officer in this case was Detective Sergeant Nethaneel Gabriel.
The Acting Cluster Commandeer and the Station Commander of Grahamstown, Colonel Syed Cassim praised the members for their diligence and commitment.
