Glebelands mass killing: Judge slams hostel crime culture as 5 men get 8 life sentences! Durban High Court Judge Mokgere Masipa has made a call for hostels to be revived, citing that criminal elements had dented the image of the communal dwellings in the country.
Judge Masipa made these remarks while handing down sentencing in the June 2023 Glebelands hostel mass murder case, where 8 people were shot and killed at the hostel situated in Umlazi, south of Durban.
Phakamani Lukhozi, Thamsanqa Helman Shongwe, Mpilo Christopher Khumalo, Lungani Sikobi, Yandisa Ennox Msungubali, Nkululeko Freedom Lukhozi, Bongani Petros Mkane, Mxolisi Comfort Mthethwa and Mandla Bhodloza Mncaka were all shot and killed execution style after refusing to surrender to the demands of giving up their beds.
Five men – Bongile Mabele, Siyamthemba Mthwana, Nkosayikhethi Njeya, Bongani Mboyiyana and Sibusiso Mkhonde – ran a syndicate where they extorted people for financial gain.
Glebelands mass killing
They were all members of the hostel housing committee, which forced tenants to give up their space and would in return get R6,000 when renting the space out.
The group was found guilty of the eight murders in April 2025.
The court learnt that victims were shot multiple times and that all of them sustained gunshot wounds to the head.
On Wednesday, Masipa sentenced the group to eight life imprisonment terms each for the murders, 10 years for the unlawful possession of a firearm, and 5 years for unlawful possession of ammunition, which will all run concurrently.
Delivering her judgment, she cited that criminal activities like these had turned hostels into criminal hotspots.
“The criminal activities linked to these hostels, including drug trafficking, violent crimes and gang operations, have led to increase in law enforcement crackdowns, media scrutiny and community distrust,” said the judge.
She added: “This has further marginalised residents who rely on hostels for survival and placed additional strain on efforts to improve living conditions.”
She made a call for the hostels to be returned to their former glory.
“Law enforcement must take decisive action to remove criminal elements while government and community stakeholders must work to restore to dignity and reputation of these hostels.”
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the successful prosecution.
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