Two Zimbabweans sentenced to multiple life terms for Johannesburg murders
- Chipo Basira
- 19 May, 2026
Two Zimbabweans sentenced to multiple life terms for Johannesburg murders
A South African court has sentenced two Zimbabwean nationals to multiple life imprisonment terms for a string of murders and armed robberies committed in Johannesburg in October 2023.
Clifford Moyo and Nhlanhla Ncube were convicted by the Gauteng Local Division Court on 18 charges, including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and violations of immigration law.
The court found the pair responsible for two attacks that left five people dead. On 6 October 2023, they shot and killed one person in Betrams.
Two days later, they stormed a property in Troyville where they robbed and killed four others: Esther Nzimande, Bekani Nzimande, Proud Mpofu and Ntombizodwa Mumpande. Additional victims were also robbed during the spree.
Moyo was convicted on 14 counts and received five life sentences for murder, along with concurrent terms for the robbery and firearms offenses. Ncube was convicted on 12 counts and sentenced to three life terms for murder, with other sentences to run concurrently.
Handing down sentence, Judge Dario Dosio described the killings as “senseless” and said they were carried out “mercilessly” for financial gain.
He noted that several victims were elderly, including people in their 80s, and that most were shot in the head. The judge said the men had shown no remorse and posed a danger to the community.
Both men were declared unfit to possess firearms under South Africa’s Firearms Control Act. The court also convicted them on immigration offenses.
During the trial, survivors identified the accused in police identification parades at Jeppe Police Station.
Ncube denied knowing Moyo and claimed mistaken identity, but the judge rejected the defense as fabricated and found the witness testimony credible.
The case highlights ongoing concerns over violent crime in Johannesburg, with the court stating that severe punishment was necessary to deter similar offenses and restore public confidence.
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