Madala Sentenced to Prison for Killing a Police Officer!

MADALA sentenced for killing an off-duty cop in Mfuleni, Cape Town in November 2023.

Phindile Christopher Sonyabashe (61) from Khayelitsha was sentenced to eight years in prison for the murder of Constable Xolani Xekethwana (40) after an argument at a tavern in Sizakhele Crescent.

Xekethwana was stabbed in the neck and back and rushed to hospital. However, he died on arrival.

The Khayelitsha Priority Court sentenced the madala on Thursday, 7 August. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Sonyabashe has been behind bars since handing himself over to the police on 4 November 2023, a day after the killing.

Mfuleni Community Police Forum chairman Frank Mashaba expressed disappointment with the sentence.

“Killing a cop is a crime against the state. I’m not happy with the sentence. H should have been given more years behind bars. Eight years is not enough. That is not deterrent enough for other would-be cop killers. Those who kill police officers must be punished heavily so that anyone who may think of doing the same will know the consequences,” said Mashaba.

Hawks spokeswoman Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said the conviction marked a vital moment of closure for both the South African Police Service community and the slain officer’s family.

“The deceased was attached to Makhaza SAPS and was off duty at the time of the incident. It’s reported that Constable Xeketwana was at a social gathering in Mfuleni on 3 November 2023 when an argument erupted between the member and the accused. The accused took out a knife and stabbed Xeketwana in the neck and back. He sadly passed away on arrival at the hospital.

“The case was then transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for further probing. The accused handed himself over to the Hawks a day after the incident,” said Hani.

She added that the investigating team successfully opposed bail until the sentencing.

Western Cape acting Hawks boss Brigadier Mushavhaduvha Ramovha praised both the investigators and prosecution for ensuring the perpetrator faced the full might of the law.