The High Court of Eswatini has today sentenced Sipho Shongwe to 50 years imprisonment for the 2018 murder of prominent businessman and football administrator Victor Gamedze.
The verdict was delivered by Justice Nkosinathi Maseko in a courtroom under tight security, marking the dramatic conclusion of one of the country’s most closely watched and emotionally charged criminal trials in recent memory.
Shongwe’s sentence is to be backdated to the day of his arrest, meaning the years he has already spent in custody will be considered part of his term.
The courtroom was packed with members of the public, legal professionals, and media as Justice Maseko read the long-awaited judgement. Outside, a heavy police presence ensured order as anticipation and tension ran high.
Victor Gamedze was gunned down at a filling station in Ezulwini in January 2018, sparking widespread national outrage and a prolonged legal process that saw multiple delays and high public interest. The state argued that Shongwe was a key figure in orchestrating the assassination, presenting extensive evidence throughout the trial.
Today’s sentence brings to a close over seven years of legal battles and public speculation. However, it is unclear at this stage whether Shongwe’s legal team will lodge an appeal.
EBIS will continue to follow this story and provide updates on any further developments.
