Cop killer handed life sentence
A Durban cop killer has been slapped with a life sentence and 40 years imprisonment by the Durban High Court.
Ntuthuko Mabaso was sentenced on Wednesday for a range of crimes, including murder, committed in 2017 and 2020.
"In July 2017, he was in the company of other assailants when he hijacked a car in the Chesterville area - he also fired shots at the complainants as he fled the scene," says the NPA KZN's Natasha Kara.
Kara says in 2020, Mabaso shot and killed a member of the Durban Flying Squad in Musgrave.
She says Constable Siphelele Cele was on duty when Mabaso fired several shots at him and fled.
"The incident occurred when Cele and his colleague were on duty in the Musgrave area. They stopped a suspicious vehicle which turned out to be an e-hailing taxi.
"Mabaso was driving and the taxi driver was in the passenger seat. Once the taxi driver had gotten off the vehicle, Mabaso fired several shots at Cele before driving off."
Mabaso later abandoned the car in Overport.
Kara says Mabaso was arrested the next day while he was attempting to catch a bus to Johannesburg.
"Mabaso was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 years imprisonment for attempted murder, 15 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm and 5 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition."
