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Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal — Simingaye Oscar Hlatshwayo Murderers Handed Life A respected municipal executive was ambushed and executed in his vehicle on his way to work. The four killers — including a co-worker — have now been sentenced to life behind bars in one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most calculated workplace assassinations in recent memory.

The Madadeni Regional Court has handed down life sentences to Nomaswazi Angel Shabalala, Mondli Mabaso, Mduduzi James Zakes Njuza, and Nqobile Brown Ngcobo for the brutal murder of Simingaye Oscar Hlatshwayo, who served as Executive Director of Technical Services at the Alfred Duma Municipality.

Simingaye’s killing, which played out like a scene from a gangster film, happened on the morning of 7 February 2019, at a busy intersection in Ladysmith — deliberately chosen to guarantee a clean kill.

According to the state’s case, Shabalala, who was employed at the same municipality as Simingaye, helped orchestrate the hit along with her co-accused. Together, they plotted the murder down to the location and timing, targeting a spot along his route where he would be forced to slow down due to traffic lights. As Simingaye approached the intersection in his vehicle, the assassins opened fire. Multiple bullets tore through his car, striking him in the head and chest, leaving him dead on the scene.

The shock of Simingaye’s killing reverberated through municipal offices, but few at the time knew that one of their own had helped mastermind the ambush.

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Simingaye Oscar Hlatshwayo, photographed in his office during his tenure as Executive Director at Alfred Duma Municipality

A Betrayal From Within

What makes Simingaye’s case particularly disturbing is the betrayal involved. Shabalala was not just a colleague — she worked under the same municipal administration and had regular interactions with the victim.

Why did she do it? The motive was never formally disclosed during sentencing, but evidence presented in court pointed to deliberate planning and coordination — not a crime of passion or desperation, but a targeted, professional-style hit.

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How Prosecutors Nailed the Killers

Prosecutor Advocate Cyril Selepe presented a tightly woven case, backed by forensic evidence and the chilling testimony of two Section 204 witnesses, who were granted immunity in exchange for cooperation.

Cellphone records, surveillance video, and ballistic analysis stitched together a story of methodical planning. The court heard how the accused coordinated movements and communications, ensuring their ambush would unfold without failure.

The ballistic evidence left no doubt — the shots that ended Hlatshwayo’s life came from weapons handled by the accused. And with the help of insider testimony, the puzzle was complete.

A Family Torn Apart

In court, the emotional weight of the crime came to life in a Victim Impact Statement read out on behalf of Hlatshwayo’s widow.

She described her husband as her “best friend,” the sole breadwinner, and a man who not only provided for his wife and children but also for extended family members.

“We have not recovered. My children cry themselves to sleep. He did everything for us,” she said. “We still don’t know how to move forward.”

Sentence: Life, with No Room for Mercy

All four accused were sentenced to life imprisonment and were also declared unfit to own a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the outcome, calling it a testament to strong partnerships between investigators, prosecutors, and witnesses.

“We commend the dedication shown in this case and hope that it sends a clear message — targeted killings will not go unpunished,” said NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

Cold Calculations, Lasting Impact

The execution of Hlatshwayo was more than a personal loss. It was a direct attack on public service, sending fear and outrage through municipal offices and civil society.

His death raised urgent questions about corruption, internal rivalries, and how personal agendas can escalate into violence, even within government structures.

Justice — But Scars Remain

Although justice has now been served more than five years after the murder, the scars it left behind remain raw. Colleagues who once shared office space with the convicted are still processing the shock of working alongside a killer.

The Hlatshwayo family, though grateful for the sentence, says the emotional hole left by Oscar’s death may never fully close.

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