Ex-deputy sheriff Vusi Mncina sentenced to 124 years for the murder of four women

MBABANE – The High Court has sentenced Vusi Charles Mncina to an effective 124 years in prison for murdering four women and attempting to murder another.

In a judgment delivered on October 28, 2026, High Court Judge Mlangeni imposed separate prison terms for the four murders and attempted murder, with all sentences ordered to run consecutively.

Mncina received 29 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for the murder of Nonhlanhla Thwala, another 29 years for the murder of Lungile Shongwe and a further 29 years for the murder of Fikile Shongwe. He was also sentenced to 23 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for murdering Cynthia Khulile Shongwe, while the attempted murder of Thuli Mkhwanazi attracted 14 years in prison without the option of a fine.

The sentences amount to 124 years imprisonment and are effective from October 28, 2023, the date of his arrest.

In explaining the sentence, the judge said the case was exceptional because four people lost their lives in one incident, including three members of the same family, while another woman survived an attempted murder.

The court noted that the offences were committed using a firearm against vulnerable and defenceless women. It also considered that the victims had pleaded for mercy and that Mncina had failed to assist them.

“The seriousness of the offences, considered individually and collectively, justify consecutive sentences rather than concurrent terms,” said Judge Mlangeni.

The court further considered the need to deter violent crime, particularly offences involving firearms that result in multiple deaths.

The judge said Mncina had been angered by the presence of two men at a party, according to his own account. However, the judgment noted that he did not act against the men, who left peacefully, but instead used a firearm against the women.

The court also recorded that Mncina was a first offender. However, the judge said this circumstance could hardly count in his favour, given that he had committed five serious offences in one transaction.

Regarding his personal circumstances, the court heard that Mncina was about 45 years old when the crimes were committed, was married and had minor children attending school.

The judge acknowledged these circumstances but found that they were outweighed by the seriousness of the offences.

In determining the appropriate punishment, the court considered previous murder sentences, including cases in which prison terms of 40 and 50 years had been imposed. However, the judge said a mathematical calculation based on those sentences would produce an excessive cumulative term.

The court exercised its discretion under Section 300 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act of 1938 to order consecutive sentences.

The judgment concluded that the punishment had to reflect the gravity of the offences and the need to protect society.

Mncina was represented by Xolani Mthethwa, while the Crown was represented by Sandile Mdluli, assisted by Chris Sibandze.

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