Bio

Mbulaheni David Mmbengwa was born on October 10, 1966. He was one of seven children. Mmbengwa was married to Takalani Lydia Mmbengwa, and they had four children. Before the serial murder case, he already had a criminal record. On December 13, 1991, he was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to six years in prison. He served four years, while the remaining two years were suspended.

After his release, Mmbengwa became connected to more serious crimes. On November 14, 1996, he was arrested at Silverton and linked to several offenses. He escaped from the Silverton Police Station the same day. After he was re-arrested, 23 charges were laid against him, including murder-related charges.

Between 1996 and 1998, Mmbengwa’s crimes were reported in the Thohoyandou area. He became known as the “Lover’s Lane Killer” because some of his victims were couples he found in cars in secluded places. Other victims included an agricultural department official and two police officers.

Murder Story

Between May 1996 and January 1998, Mbulaheni David Mmbengwa carried out a series of murders in the Thohoyandou area of South Africa’s former Northern Province, now Limpopo. His attacks often involved robbery, and reports state that several victims were couples found in cars in secluded areas.

Mmbengwa’s victims included Azwitheli Lactor Mugwebu, an official with the Northern Province agriculture department. Reports state that Mugwebu was shot multiple times in October 1997. Mmbengwa was also convicted of killing Constance Khosa, Vhuwani police Inspector Thomas Gundula, Pietersburg police Sergeant Bernard Nevhuthalu, Lawrence Muofhe, Doris Kenyaletso Ravutho, and Johannes Mukhawana.

The murders took place in and around villages near Thohoyandou, including Mutoti, Dumasi, Mulendane, and Tshilungoma. Because the crimes involved repeated shootings and robberies, police launched an intensive investigation. A police investigative psychologist, Elmarie Myburgh, was reported to have assisted in tracking him.

Mmbengwa was eventually arrested in January 1998 after a manhunt. Reports state that he was found in a rented shack in Kagiso on the West Rand. He was linked to multiple crimes and eventually faced numerous charges, including murder, robbery, assault, escape, and illegal firearm and ammunition possession.

In July 2001, the Thohoyandou High Court sentenced Mmbengwa to seven life sentences for the seven murders. He also received an additional 45 years: 20 years for two robberies, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, three years for escape, two years for illegal firearm possession, and one year for illegal ammunition possession. The firearm and ammunition sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Judge Gibson Makhanya said during sentencing that Mmbengwa did not deserve to return to the community. Mmbengwa remains best listed as imprisoned, with a sentence of seven life terms plus 45 years.