The Nelspruit Regional Court has convicted and sentenced former police officer Saeed Sipho Dlamini (38), who was stationed at the Belfast Police Station, to life imprisonment for the murder of Xolani Brown Lubisi, and an additional 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Dlamini was initially charged alongside Sayco Xolani Mathe (51), who was later acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The deceased, Lubisi, was a friend of Mathe.
On 31 March 2014, Dlamini and Lubisi met at a tavern in Kaapmuiden, where they consumed alcohol together. The accused later requested the deceased to accompany him to Nelspruit in Lubisi’s vehicle. During the trip, while seated in the back seat, Dlamini drew his service pistol and shot Lubisi in the back of the head, killing him instantly. He then dumped the body along the N4 near Machadodorp.
A police officer on patrol noticed the vehicle speeding and attempted to stop it. When the vehicle failed to comply, he called for backup, and the car was subsequently intercepted. Upon inspection, police discovered bloodstains and bullet damage inside the car. When questioned, Dlamini produced his police identification card and falsely claimed that the blood belonged to his child, who had been in an accident. He was arrested for drunk driving, and a subsequent investigation linked him to the murder, robbery, and defeating the ends of justice.
During the trial, Dlamini pleaded not guilty and denied involvement. However, State Prosecutor John Mahlwele led compelling evidence, including testimony from the officer who stopped the vehicle, as well as the deceased’s sister, who identified both the victim and the vehicle. DNA evidence retrieved from Dlamini’s clothing, and the vehicle matched the deceased’s blood, and a post-mortem report confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the back of the head. The court found the State’s witnesses credible and rejected Dlamini’s version of events.
In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Mahlwele argued that the murder was premeditated, brutal, and senseless, urging the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence. In delivering judgment, Magistrate Greveinstein remarked that the accused had shown no regard for human life and sentenced him as follows: Life imprisonment for murder; 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances; 5 years’ imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice; and 12 months’ imprisonment for drunk driving. Dlamini was automatically declared unfit to possess a firearm.
