Three (3) men involved in the fatal mob-justice attack on Bhekumuzi Mguni in Ivory Park in 2022 were sentenced to lengthy prison terms on Wednesday.
The Johannesburg High Court handed 25-year sentences to Lucky Mofemme, 28, and Freddy Mongkoal, 48, while Mohambi Motshali, 32, received a 31-year sentence. The trio faced charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and arson.
The attack occurred on November 19, 2022, when Asithandile Mabeni and Mnguni, 33, were in Mabeni’s vegetable garden. Four individuals approached, accusing Mnguni of stealing a cellphone, and proceeded to assault him before setting his shack on fire, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
The group forced Mabeni and Mnguni to go to Mnguni’s home, where they sought refuge inside. Mnguni’s mother, who later testified in court, recounted how her son and his friend, both severely injured, rushed inside, bleeding heavily. Moments later, an angry mob began banging on the door, threatening to burn the house and car.
Fearing for their lives, Mnguni’s stepfather opened the door. The mob seized Mnguni and continued to beat him. They dragged him to an open field, where he sustained critical injuries, eventually dying two days later. Mabeni later identified the attackers during a police identification process at the Ivory Park police station.