SAPS - South African Police Service

03/02/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/02/2023 11:25

Murder accused to spend the rest of his life behind bars

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga

Nelspruit: Moses Jabulane Gama (59) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Chief Albert Luthuli Regional Court yesterday, Wednesday 01 March 2023, for the heartless murder of Ms Nurse Zanele Nhlebeya, who was also known as Ntombanyana Nkosi (42) at the time of her death.

The accused shot and killed the mother of his two children (aged 09 and 12 at the time of the incident) on 12 March 2019 at her friend's place. The victim sadly sustained multiple gunshot wounds which took her life instantly. After the incident, the accused went to Elukwatini police station to hand himself over. He was then charged for murder and made several court appearances from 13 March 2019 until he was granted bail.

The accused used his bail as an opportunity to evade the follow up court appearances as he never showed up in court again. Police were left with the challenging task to locate him. He was circulated in the list of wanted suspects. The investigation team finally managed to track him down in Mofolo North in Soweto in the Gauteng Province on 30 December 2022.

He was convicted on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, hence his sentencing almost four years after he committed the gruesome murder. Apart from life time in jail, he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi commended the outstanding performance by the team of investigators, the prosecution team as well as the judiciary. The General further welcomed the well-deserved sentence that was handed down by the court whilst emphasizing the importance of tightening the grip by all law enforcement agencies in the fight against the pandemic of gender based violence.

Ends

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Brigadier Selvy Mohlala
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