Xolile Mtembu|Published
Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment plus 15 years for the murder and robbery of businessman Rakeshchand Shane Ganesh.
The sentence was handed down by the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Durban.
Sihle Zondi, 25, and Hlonipani Mzila, 29, killed 53-year-old Ganesh in Umhlanga in November 2024.
The court heard that the victim, Ganesh, had been staying at the Umhlanga property owned by his cousin due to financial difficulties.
Tensions arose after Ganesh was tasked with collecting rent and managing household expenses, which led to repeated altercations with Mzila.
“Mzila ultimately resolved to kill Ganesh and rob him of his belongings. He enlisted the assistance of Zondi, whom he knew from the Dalton area,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Ramkisson-Kara.
The court heard that on November 17, 2024, the pair attacked Ganesh inside the property, strangling him with a belt-like rope before concealing his body under a bed.
They then fled with his laptop and vehicle. Police later tracked and arrested the suspects after receiving information about their whereabouts, with the stolen items recovered during the investigation.
Ramkisson-Kara further noted procedural developments during sentencing.
“Following their conviction, both accused refused to enter the dock for sentencing proceedings. The court ruled that the matter should not be delayed due to the conduct of the accused and granted the application.”
The NPA said the outcome reflects its ongoing commitment to justice.
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Margarete Wrona
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