MIDDELBURG – A former security guard convicted of killing a municipal employee will have to wait until May to learn how long he will spend behind bars for his crimes.
Nqubeko Mchunu (43) was found guilty by the Middelburg Division of the Mpumalanga High Court on March 14, 2025.
The court found him guilty on one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder for shooting and killing Tshepo Maseko, and injuring Harris Sithole, Bongani Thabang, and Oupa Vilakazi during a wage strike on August 17, 2022 at the Steve Tshwete municipal offices.
The state rejected Mchunu’s version that he acted in self-defence because his life “was in danger.” However, video footage showed that the victims, including Maseko, were unarmed when they were shot.
The court agreed with the prosecution that Mchunu, who was employed as a security guard, knew the consequences of his actions. “As a trained officer in riot control and firearms, he would easily be in a position to control himself as he would be aware and foresee the possibility of death by firing a gun at a group of people,” said the Acting Judge.
The court also found that Mchunu lied during cross-examination when he claimed he was attacked with stones, which he avoided, and that he only fired five shots. “The ballistic evidence refuted that contention.”
Dipuo Maseko, the deceased’s mother, said she was at peace now that the court had pronounced its decision.
The court is expected to deliver Mchunu’s sentence on May 2, 2025. This will follow a pre-sentencing report, as requested by his lawyer. HC Archive: Nqubeko Mchunu will be sentenced on May 2, for killing Steve Tshwete employee Tshepo Maseko during a wage strike in August 2022.
