By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE-A 37-year-old foreign national got a life sentence for his role in the killing of upcoming artist Shaun-Douglas Chabalala (23) in the Pretoria magistrate’s court.
Onyeghani Ekene Dumkele (37) and other cohorts lured Chabalala and his friend Given Mzamane to the Tambotie block of flats in Sunnyside, east of Pretoria, under the guise of purchasing an expensive professional camera in May 2018.
Dumkele had been staying in the flat in question on the seventh floor of the building.
Upon arrival at the flat with R14 000 in cash on their person, Chabalala and Mzamane were ambushed by a group of men.
“Mzamane testified that he forced his way out of the door and manage to escape; however, it was not before he saw two men throw Chabalala out of the window from the same apartment,” said spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela.
“Chabalala succumbed to his injuries. He was declared dead on the scene.”
Sunnyside police arrested Dumkele almost 15 months after the killing, leaving a wedding reception in Mpumalanga after he was tipped off about the fugitive’s location.
Dumkele was caught hiding in a ceiling in a house in Pretoria West after being sniffed out by the K-9 unit.
While being taken into custody, Dumkele blamed the murder on his missing co-accused and fellow countryman, Obienna Ofoegbuliwe, who has since fled after he was granted bail of R3 000.
“That testimony was rejected by the court,” Mavimbela continued.
“He knew that among others – the police had been searching for him, had not disclosed the identity of the killer before his arrest and was easily pointed out by Mzamane during the identification parade.”
Sunnyside police welcomed the sentencing, with commander Brigadier Matshidiso Kgoadi specially commending the prosecution and investigative teams for their efforts in the case.
Residents are urged to desist from carrying large amounts of cash on them and urged to purchase high-valued items from reputable vendors.
Any residents with information on the whereabouts of wanted fugitive Obienna Ofoegbuliwe are urged to contact the Sunnyside police at 012 422 3600 or the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111.
