The Pietermaritzburg High Court has handed down a life sentence to Sibusiso Mpinga (32) for the brutal murders of businessman Ismail Lunat and his son, Shanis Moosa Lunat, at their home in Dalton, KwaZulu-Natal, in July 2023.
Mpinga, who appeared in court last Friday for sentencing, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty earlier in the week, following compelling testimony from his co-accused, Nhlanhla Gabela. Gabela provided critical evidence that led to Mpinga’s decision to plead guilty.
Mpinga admitted to charges of housebreaking with intent to commit robbery, two counts of murder, and one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances. Gabela, however, was acquitted of all charges.
The court heard that on the morning of July 14, 2023, Mpinga and Gabela arrived at the Lunat family’s home armed with knives, intent on committing a robbery. They forcibly entered the house and confronted Shanis, who was in the passage. He was brutally stabbed multiple times and died at the scene. The two men then proceeded to the bedroom, where they found Ismail Lunat. He was attacked with a torch, suffering fatal injuries. The perpetrators stole bags of money from the cupboard before fleeing the scene.
In mitigation, Mpinga’s defense lawyer argued that his youth and expressed remorse should be considered as factors that warranted a lesser sentence. However, state prosecutor Advocate Zinhle Sokhela rejected this argument, stating that Mpinga’s remorse appeared insincere, as he had initially pleaded not guilty and only changed his plea when faced with overwhelming evidence.
Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba, in delivering the sentence, agreed with the prosecution’s assessment, stating that she was not convinced by Mpinga’s expressions of remorse. She emphasized that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the mandatory minimum sentences.
Mpinga was sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the murders, five years for housebreaking, and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. All sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence for the murders.
The court’s decision marks the end of a tragic chapter for the Lunat family, whose lives were violently cut short in a senseless act of robbery and violence.
