Duo Sentenced for Killing East London E-Hailing Driver

The East London Regional Court has sentenced two men for the robbery, kidnapping and murder of e-hailing driver Sibusiso Nogqola, who vanished while working in Duncan Village on 13 October 2022.

Nogqola left home that morning to begin work, but when his wife struggled to reach him, she contacted the owner of the vehicle he was driving. The owner used tracking data, which showed the car moving through East London before stopping in Bhebhele Street, an area the driver had been instructed to avoid for safety reasons.

Vehicle Found With Blood and Missing Number Plates

When the vehicle owner arrived at the location, he found the car locked, its number plates removed and traces of blood inside. Police were called to the scene.

A locksmith later opened the vehicle, revealing more bloodstains in the back seat and the boot. DNA analysis confirmed that the blood belonged to Nogqola.

Evidence Places Accused Inside the Vehicle

During the trial, State Prosecutor Sinovuyo Sotomela presented evidence tracing the movements of the accused. Witnesses placed Lutho Nasiphi (30) and Bahle Nqomfe (26) inside the vehicle with the victim earlier that day. The men later drove to the home of a third accused, Xolela Mancam, before removing the number plates.

A witness also reported hearing a man crying for help inside the vehicle before it sped off again. Nogqola’s body was found the next day.

Court Applies Common-Purpose Doctrine

All three accused pleaded not guilty. Mancam denied involvement and was ultimately acquitted after the court found that the State had not proven he acted as an accessory after the fact.

However, the court found that strong circumstantial evidence and the actions of Nasiphi and Nqomfe supported the application of the common-purpose doctrine. Both men were convicted of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping.

Lengthy Sentences Welcomed by NPA

The court imposed the following sentences:

• Murder: 25 years
• Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 12 years
• Kidnapping: 5 years

The court ordered the robbery and kidnapping sentences to run concurrently with the murder sentence.

The Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions welcomed the ruling, saying it reinforces the commitment of the courts to address violent crime. The NPA commended the prosecution and investigative teams for securing justice for Nogqola and his family.