Cop killers' escape foiled

An escape by two of the men responsible for the brutal killing of a policeman at an uMlazi party was foiled.

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Durban - An escape by two of the men responsible for the brutal killing of a policeman at an uMlazi party was foiled on Tuesday just before they were to be taken to the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court to be sentenced.

Nhlakanipho Luthuli, 25, and Clive Mthethwa, 22, were brought to court in a Department of Correctional Services van escorted by three department vehicles with officials from the police’s tactical response team.

This was after police heard through intelligence sources that the pair were planning to pretend to be other prisoners on different case numbers.

A source said the prisoners allegedly had friends waiting in court who would whisk them away once they overpowered their guards.

Their planned escape was confirmed by a Correctional Services Department source.

The pair, with Sibusiso Mthembu, 19, were found guilty last month of the killing of Constable Sibonelo Mbambo at a party in November 2012.

Their age and the fact that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time saved them from life sentences.

Instead, magistrate Prithi Bodha Khedun sentenced Mthembu and Mthethwa to 18 years in jail for the murder and Luthuli was given 20 years. She said the policeman’s death was “uncalled for and a senseless killing”.

Mthethwa was also sentenced to five years for the theft of Mbambo’s handcuffs, cellphone and gun magazine as well as five years for the possession of Mbambo’s ammunition.

A fourth accused, Luthuli’s brother, Nkululeko, 19, was found guilty of the theft of Mbambo’s firearm and possession of an unlicensed firearm. He received five-year sentences for each count.

Mbambo, 31, was part of the Tactical Response Team working in the provincial tracing division.

Initially, 12 people were arrested. Charges were withdrawn against six, who became State witnesses.

After the trial, charges were withdrawn against two.

Daily News