A member of the SAPS Umlazi Visible Policing unit has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his son, but the sentence was wholly suspended for five years by the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court.
Warrant Officer Vincent Mkhize shot his 25-year-old son, Ayanda Gift Mkhize, after mistaking him for an intruder tampering with a burglar gate at about 1am on December 28, 2022.
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Mkhize fired his service firearm in the direction of the suspected intruder.
He only realised he had shot his son after hearing him scream.
Ayanda Gift Mkhize was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries.
Ipid investigated the matter, and Mkhize was charged with murder. An internal disciplinary hearing also sanctioned him to undergo counselling.
In addition to the suspended prison sentence, the court ordered that Mkhize be placed under correctional supervision for two years, during which he must participate in programmes determined as part of his supervision. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
