Cape Town – The High Court in Mbombela has sentenced 38-year-old Joseph Napoleon Nyalunga to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder of 67-year-old German tourist Jorg Schnarr, whom he ambushed and fatally shot.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa Regional Spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, Nyalunga was further convicted of attempted robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
While the two co-accused, Marshall Cebo Mamba and Bongumusa Matsane, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
“The court heard that on 3 October 2022, Schnarr and three companions were travelling in a minibus along the Numbi Road towards Mdluli Safari Lodge near the Kruger National Park.
“A VW Golf suddenly pulled up and blocked their way. The perpetrators exited the vehicle and opened fire on the tourists’ minibus. Schnarr, who was driving, was struck by a bullet and succumbed to his injuries on the scene.
“A swift police investigation led to Nyalunga’s arrest,” said Nyuswa.
During the trial, the state provided overwhelming evidence, including eyewitness testimony, police evidence, and confession statements.
During an inspection in loco, a state witness demonstrated how the victim’s vehicle was ambushed and how the accused fled the scene after the shooting.
In aggravation of sentence, the State argued that Nyalunga had mercilessly killed a defenceless foreign tourist who had come to South Africa with his family to experience its natural beauty.
The prosecutor further urged the court to hand down the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.
GERMAN TOURIST KILLED BY ZIMBABWEANS IN SA!
Three illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe who killed a German tourist in South Africa appeared in Northam Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Their names are Jan Moshabi, Abstain Madzvimbo and Thomas Moyo. pic.twitter.com/Bcxn9ejSqU— Patriotic News (@PatrioticMedia1) February 27, 2024
However, after weighing all the evidence, the court sentenced Nyalunga to 25 years for murder, 10 years for attempted robbery, 7 years for unlawful possession of a firearm, and 2 years for possession of ammunition.
It further ordered that some of these sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 25 years’ direct imprisonment.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and sentence, acknowledging the tireless efforts of the criminal justice cluster in combating violent crime.
“The NPA emphasises that the value of human life can never be overstated and reaffirms its commitment to pursuing such cases vigorously to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders”, said Nyuswa.
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Picture: X/Napoleon Nyalunga
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
