By Lwazi Dlamini
High Court Judge, Nkosinathi Maseko on Tuesday found Sipho Shongwe guilty of the murder of late Mbabane Swallows Chairman and astute businessman Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze.
Gamedze, the former Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman, was gunned down in cold blood on January 14, 2018, at Galp Filling Station in Ezulwini. Delivering his 100-page judgment at the High Court on Tuesday, Judge Maseko was convinced by Senior Police Detective Sikhumbuzo Fakudze’s testimony that the former Matsapha United Football Club Director, Sipho Shongwe had orchestrated the callous murder of the influential Gamedze.
The Judge was also convinced that one of the suspects, Tata Ngubane from South Africa who had travelled to the country with the man who confessed he had pulled the trigger Ncaza Nkosi, did not know that Gamedze was supposed to be killed.
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The Judge highlighted that, at times, Ncaza and another suspect, who is still a fugitive of the law, Sicelo ‘Dzodzo’ Zikalala-Luthango, would leave Tata alone at his guest house while they moved together planning the dastardly act.
Shongwe was found guilty after a gruelling five-year trial since the murder of Gamedze left the nation reeling in shock on January 14, 2018.
Shongwe, who has been languishing in jail since being arrested five days after the tragic shooting of Gamedze, will now await sentencing.
Gamedze was gunned down at a Galp Filling Station just after watching his team Mbabane Swallows beat Manzini Wanderers 1-0 in the last 16 stage of the Ingwenyama Cup at Somhlolo National Stadium.
