DURBAN – In a significant court ruling, the Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced 43-year-old Zwelakhe Nene to three life imprisonment terms. The decision followed his conviction on multiple charges, including three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder related to a violent feud in Mid Illovo. The court delivered its verdict on Friday, 10 May.
According to the South African Police Service, the investigation by the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes unit led to Nene’s sentencing. The conflict, which erupted within two families, escalated into a deadly confrontation that claimed 10 lives. On 02 September 2021, during the height of the feud, a security guard from one of the involved families was murdered while on duty at a local primary school. Initially, Nene and two other suspects, Mhloniswa Nene and Mvikelwa Nene, were granted bail. However, they subsequently attacked a minibus taxi, resulting in two deaths and additional injuries. This incident led to their re-arrest after forensic evidence linked them to the crime scene. While Zwelakhe faced trial, Mvikelwa and Mhloniswa absconded, prompting the issuance of arrest warrants. Alongside his life sentences, Zwelakhe Nene will also serve an additional 30 years for the attempted murders.