Zimele Mntuyazi Nkwanyana (37) is expected to make a second appearance in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 October 2025, for a bail application.
This is after, Rustenburg businessman Ben Gumbi (50) was murdered. Sibongiseni Ngubane (33) and Thabani Lethukuthula Gwala (30) were sentenced by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase. The two men were convicted of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm following the brutal killing of Gumbi in August.
Gumbi and his wife stopped at a local coffee shop. He went inside to order coffee while his wife remained in the locked vehicle. While waiting for his order, he stepped outside to take a phone call. Moments later, a car pulled up, and two men got out and opened fire on Gumbi, fatally wounding him before fleeing the scene. The suspects later abandoned the getaway vehicle and switched to another car. Police investigations, aided by surveillance footage from the coffee shop and fingerprints found on the abandoned vehicle, led to the arrest of Ngubane and Gwala in September and December 2023, respectively. In court, both accused pleaded not guilty, but were convicted based on the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution.
The third accused initially appeared in court on Friday, 10 October 2025, after being apprehended in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, 09 October 2025, for the murder of Ben Gumbi, in August 2023.
Nkwanyana’s arrest coincided with the sentencing of his accomplices; Sibongiseni Ngubane and Thabani Gwala, who were each sentenced to life for murder and 15 years for and unlawful possession of firearms. The pair were arrested in September and November 2023, in Gauteng Province.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng said this arrest is further proof and evidence of the resolve and commitment of the police to track, arrest and bring perpetrators before the courts so that they can face the consequences of their heinous crimes.
“It is hoped that the latest arrest will bring to a close a very successful prosecution led investigation after the ruthless murder of Mr Gumbi.”
Cece Smith 