A KwaZulu-Natal man, Sthembiso Mthimkhulu, has begun serving six life sentences for the brutal mass murder of his family in Eshowe. The tragic incident occurred in February 2021, when Mthimkhulu fatally shot multiple family members, including two children aged eight and ten years old, at their home.
After committing the heinous act, Mthimkhulu fled the scene and was apprehended days later in Greytown, where he had sought the assistance of a traditional healer.
The Pietermaritzburg High Court handed down the life sentences, with the presiding judge also declaring Mthimkhulu unfit to possess a firearm.
Natasha Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KZN, praised the collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors, emphasizing the significance of the harsh punishment.
"The NPA commends the work done by the prosecution and the police," said Kara. "We hope that stringent sentences like these convey our commitment to the fight against crime."
The case has drawn attention to the importance of robust legal action in addressing violent crimes in the province.