Siyauyazi Mshengu

Former Crime Intelligence boss, Richard Mdluli and his co-accused, Mthembeni Mthunzi have been sentenced to 5-year prison term at the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday.

Mdluli and Mthunzi in 2019 were found guilty of kidnapping, common assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm as well as four counts of intimidation in July last year.

The case relates to the kidnapping, assault and intimidation of Oupa Ramogibe, who had married Mdluli’s customary law wife, Tshidi Buthelezi. Buthelezi died from an illness while Ramogibe was gunned down in 1999.

The SABC reported that Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who began handing down the sentence on Monday, said Mdluli and Mthunzi abused their position as police officers, took the law into their own hands and acted in an “extremely egregious” and “cavalier” manner.

“I am not making myself a saint. I have never lifted a hand to any woman. My wife and children can attest to that,” Mdluli said.

Mdluli and Mthunzi took to Vosloorus where they assaulted Alice Manana, Buthelezi’s friend, and forced her to disclose Buthelezi and Ramogibe’s location. Both were then found in Orange Farm where Ramogibe was assaulted. Ramogibe was murdered in 1999.

When asked why was the case not opened then, in 1998, and it was only opened in 2010, Mdluli said his young children in Cape Town and extended family were all financially dependent on him.

Mdluli was charged with Ramogibe’s murder in 2011, however the charges were later dropped.

In March, Mdluli asked the court to consider his personal circumstances.

“I know you have found me guilty and I have indicated what I am doing for my children and extended family. I don’t want to say the state has an agenda against me.

The prosecutor might have reasons why he wants to take me to jail. I am asking for mercy from the court, to feel for me and my children.”

On Monday court proceedings were postponed after defence team failed to gain an Epidemiologist to detail the risks of elderly people like the two accused of contracting the coronavirus in prison.

Mthunzi and Mdluli, who are in their 60’s, have asked the court for leniency when imposing its sentence due to their poor health where they might be vulnerable to Covid-19 in prison.

Picture: timeslive.co.za