A man convicted of carrying out a deadly mass shooting in northern Charlestown, KwaZulu-Natal, has been handed four life sentences by the Madadeni High Court, bringing closure to a case that shocked the tight-knit rural community.
The court heard that in January 2024, Lindokuhle Mbatha stormed the Madlangeni home of local induna Lucia Mahlaba and opened fire. Mahlaba, her son, and two neighbours were killed in the attack. Several other residents were wounded after rushing to assist during the chaos.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed that a second suspect linked to the case had also been arrested but later died while in custody.
Investigators tied Mbatha directly to the crime through forensic evidence. Ballistics tests conducted on an AK-47 recovered at the time of his arrest matched spent cartridges found at the murder scene.
In addition to the four life terms for murder, the court imposed a cumulative 50 years for five counts of attempted murder, 15 years for armed robbery, and a further 15 years for unlawful possession of a firearm.
The sentencing marks the end of a harrowing chapter for the Charlestown community, which continues to grapple with the aftermath of the violence.