Soldier found guilty of matric pupil’s murder

SOUTH African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier Mbubanzi Desmond Zwakala was found guilty, while his co-accused, David Khangumbe, was found not guilty of the murder of Kimberley Boys’ High School matric pupil Amogelang Assegaai.

- SANDI KWON HOO

The Grade 12 pupil was fatally shot outside his home in Impala Road, Verwoerdpark, in October 2022.

Acting Judge Dries van Tonder delivered judgment in the Northern Cape High Court yesterday, where the courtroom was filled to capacity with family members, supporters, and friends.

The shooting followed an earlier altercation involving Zwakala’s son and Assegaai.

Zwakala’s son, Kamva Zwakala, was injured during a valedictory party following an altercation when Assegaai reportedly asked him to leave, as the house was overcrowded.

Zwakala later confronted Assegaai on October 23, 2022, to retrieve his son’s cellphone, which had been lost during the altercation. The confrontation turned hostile when Zwakala realised the SIM and memory cards were missing from the phone.