One of the men who admitted taking part in the assassination of former Ses’khona People’s Movement leader and community activist Loyiso Nkohla-Mabandla has been sentenced to an effective 30 years’ imprisonment by the Western Cape High Court.

Zukisa Tshabile, 41, was sentenced on 10 November 2026 after entering into a plea and sentencing agreement with the State. He pleaded guilty to charges arising from Nkohla’s murder on 17 April 2023, as well as a separate armed robbery at a business in Kraaifontein in July 2023.

The assassination in Philippi

Nkohla was shot dead during a community meeting near Philippi Railway Station in Cape Town. He had been involved in discussions between residents and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) following eviction notices issued to people occupying railway land.

According to Tshabile’s plea agreement, a dispute developed around a security contract at the railway station. Nkohla and his wife, Nyameka Mabandla, had become involved in a partnership to provide security services in the area. The relationship reportedly deteriorated after security personnel allegedly went unpaid despite payments having been received by the security business.

The plea agreement states that Thobani Maxengana allegedly approached the gunmen and told them he wanted Nkohla and his wife killed. Tshabile admitted that he and other alleged perpetrators were offered R20,000 each to carry out the killings. On 17 April 2023, armed men travelled to the railway station, where Nkohla was attending the community meeting, and opened fire. He died at the scene. 

A 149-year sentence reduced to an effective 30 years

Tshabile was convicted of murder, seven counts of attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The court imposed sentences totalling 149 years’ direct imprisonment. However, the sentences were ordered to run concurrently with the 30-year sentence for murder, meaning Tshabile will effectively serve 30 years behind bars. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The case also included a separate armed robbery at the Pizza Pub in Kraaifontein on 5 July 2023. Tshabile admitted participating in the robbery, during which R15,000, alcohol and two cellphones were stolen. Gunfire followed when police confronted the suspects, with a police officer and other people caught in the violence. 

Widow still wants to know who ordered the assassination

Although the sentence represents a significant development in the case, Nkohla’s widow says the family is still seeking answers about who planned and ordered her husband’s killing.

Nyameka Mabandla has expressed mixed feelings about the sentence, saying that no prison term can bring her husband back or replace the father her children lost. She has also indicated that the plea agreement could help the family understand the full circumstances surrounding the assassination.

Two other accused, Mziyanda Mdlungu and Mzubanzi Chulayo, remain part of the proceedings. Their cases are separate from Tshabile’s plea and sentence agreement. Their alleged involvement must still be determined through the legal process.