The five killers of Rhythm City actor Dumisani Masilela have each been sentenced to life imprisonment on the grounds of cold-blood murder. They’ve also been sentenced to various jail terms which ranges from 30-40 years for other crimes they were found guilty of, which includes, robbery, kidnapping, car hijacking of various victims.

According to the convicting Judge, Judge Papi Mosopa, none of the accused is remorseful for their act. It is however realized that three out of the five suspects has had previous conviction, which didn’t seem to be an eye-opener to them.

This gang of five, Khumbuzo Solomon Mukhaba, 31, the man who pulled the trigger which killed Masilela in February 2017 in Tembisa and his four co-accused, Sfundo Harrison Nkosi 34, of Ivory Park, Bongani John Masombuka, 38, of Tembisa, Brian Makhubedu, 28, and Mashudu Malema, 35, all of Ivory Park, all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Masilela was shot in broad daylight in Tembisa while the gang were on a hijacking spree. He, however, managed to drive on after he was shot. He was with his friend Bongani Nkosi at the time.

The two switched places shortly after the shooting and Nkosi drove his friend to the hospital. Masilela died the following day.

Masilela’s mother Sabatha Masilela earlier told the court that she was so heartbroken by her son’s death, that she could not resume her teaching job. Masilela visited his mother shortly before his death and told her that he and Nkosi were quickly going to Tembisa.

Judge Mosopa commented that little did the mother know that she was never going to see her son again. The judge said none of the accused were poverty stricken and they had committed the killing and hijacking spree out of greed.

Friends and family members meanwhile hugged each other after the sentencing proceedings. The crying mother was too emotional to speak to the media, but Masilela’s uncle, Tumelo Mogase said knowing that the accused are going to jail for life, brought some closure.

“We know it will not bring back Dumisani, but at least it brings some closure,” he said.