Man Sentenced to 13 Years Imprisonment for the Attempted Murder of ANC Councillor and Two Others

By Brigadier Athlenda Mathe
SAPS Spokesperson

The Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has welcomed the successful conviction and sentencing secured by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in the attempted murder case of ANC Councillor Jethro Banda and two others.

On Wednesday, 27 May 2026, the Durban Regional Court sentenced Patric Tsikelelo Mafohlela to 13 years imprisonment after finding him guilty on three counts of attempted murder.

Ahead of the Local Government Elections in November 2021, ANC ward councillor candidate Jethro Banda had been canvassing door-to-door in the Shakas Head area when he and another ANC member were shot and wounded during the attack.

A third member who was with the pair, escaped unharmed.

The Political Killings Task Team investigated the matter and positively linked Mafohlela to the attempted murders, leading to his arrest, prosecution and eventual conviction.

Lieutenant General Dimpane has applauded the continued dedication and hard work of the PKTT in ensuring those responsible for politically motivated violence are brought to justice.

“To date, the Political Killings Task Team has arrested a total of 407 suspects linked to politically motivated crimes.

Of these, 138 suspects have already been convicted and sentenced to more than 2 000 years imprisonment collectively,” concluded, Lieutenant General Dimpane.