Two men sentenced to 30 years for Centane murder

Two men have been sentenced to an effective 30 years imprisonment for the murder of a 50-year-old man at Centuli Location in Centane.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Baxolile Makisi, 25, and Luzuko Khephe, 31, were sentenced for the murder of Mandiselo Tyityi, who was killed on 18 November 2023.

According to the NPA, the incident occurred during a traditional ceremony and was linked to an incident that had taken place about a week earlier.

The NPA said Tyityi had assaulted the two men a week before his death while attempting to stop them from disrupting another ceremony marking the start of the initiation season.

On 18 November 2023, Makisi and Khephe attacked Tyityi with wooden sticks during a traditional ceremony attended by community members.

According to evidence presented in court, the two men stripped Tyityi and repeatedly assaulted him.

The NPA said bystanders attempted to intervene during the assault. Among those who tried to intervene was Makisi’s father. The NPA said the accused threatened those who attempted to stop them with violence.

Community members eventually managed to stop the assault, but Tyityi had succumbed to his injuries.

Police were called to the scene and Makisi and Khephe were arrested.

During the trial, both accused pleaded not guilty. They admitted that they had been present at the scene but claimed that Tyityi had been assaulted by other people.

Regional Court Prosecutor Siyabonga Manase presented evidence from four eyewitnesses who had attended the ceremony.

According to the NPA, the court rejected the accused’s version.

During arguments in aggravation of sentence, the State submitted that violence associated with initiation-related activities remained prevalent in Centane and surrounding areas.

The State further argued that the courts had a responsibility to impose sentences that would deter similar conduct. According to the NPA, the court agreed with the State’s submissions.

Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Samkelo Mtwana welcomed the sentence.

“This sentence sends a strong message that acts of revenge and mob-style violence have no place in our communities. The NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of serious violent crimes are held accountable and that justice is delivered for victims and their families,” Mtwana said.

The information was released by NPA Eastern Cape Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.