PORT ELIZABETH - PE HIGH COURT GIVES KILLER LIFE SENTENCE FOR MERCILESSLY EXECUTING A NELSON MANDELA BAY COUNCILLOR

Bongani Cagwe (31) was sentenced on Friday before the Port Elizabeth High court to Life imprisonment for the 2014 murder of Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor, Buyisile Elijah Mkavu.

Cagwe was also sentenced to five (5) years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm and one-year for possession of unlicensed ammunition.

On 2 August 2014, Mkavu, was visiting the home of the late Nelson Mandela Bay Councilor Lucky Vumazonke. The latter had died a week earlier.

Mkavu was with a friend when a vehicle stopped at a distance facing them. Cagwe exited the vehicle, walked towards Mkavu’s car. He shouted Mkavu’s name and after he acknowledged, Cagwe pulled out his firearm and shot him multiple times. Mkavu died instantly an Cagwe fled the scene on foot. Mkavu’s passenger was left unharmed.

A Task team comprising of the Hawks and Crime Intelligence was then formulated to investigate the murder. This team, assisted by the Tactical Response Team, arrested Cagwe at KwaNobuhle in Uitenhage on 8 August 2014.

It was ultimately proved in court that a man from Uitenhage, who was 49-years-old at the time, hired and paid Cagwe R17 000 to kill Mkavu. The man was shot and killed a day after police arrested Cagwe.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Head for the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major-General Nyameko Nogwanya, stressed that the murder our government leaders would never be tolerated by the Hawks as these are the custodians for the betterment of the lives of South Africans.

VIA - saps.org.za