Former municipal manager’s killer sentenced to life

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A convicted killer has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a former municipal manager.

Sabelo Phewa was convicted of the murder of Sibusiso Sithole who was a Municipal Manager for the Richmond local municipality. 

Sithole was shot and killed at the Richmond licensing office in 2017 while on his way to attend a meeting with the then council to discuss issues he was investigating.

According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, he was at the time investigating fraud and corruption involving tenders and kickbacks in the municipality.

#sapsHQ National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola welcomes the double LIFE sentence handed down by the Pietermaritzburg High Court to hitman Sabelo Phewa.

Sabelo Phewa was convicted of the murder of Sibusiso Sithole who was a Municipal Manager for the Richmond Local… pic.twitter.com/TRH6ARNwzV

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 23, 2025

“The SAPS political killings task team took over investigations in 2018 and this led to the arrest of Phewa.

“The firearm found in his possession at the time of his arrest was found to be linked to several other murders including that of Amos Ngcobo whose wife had ordered his hit.

“The wife turned state witness and was sentenced to five years imprisonment,” he explained.

Double life sentence for municipal manager and Ngcobo’s murder

Phewa, was handed double life sentence for the murder of Sithole and Ngcobo.

Additionally, he was handed five years imprisonment for attempted murder of police officers at the time when they were effecting his arrest, fifteen years imprisonment for possession of an unlicensed firearm and five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition.

National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola welcomed the double life sentence handed down by the Pietermaritzburg high court to hitman Phewa. 

He commended the political killings task team for cracking this case and ensuring a lengthy conviction for the hitman.

“Through this case, we were able to link and solve other cases such as the murder of Amos Ngcobo.

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“The number of life sentences secured by the task team is now more than 30 life sentences secured for several hitmen and hit orderers.

“Well done and may you continue to provide answers and closure to other families,” concluded Gen Masemola.