The Gauteng Division of the High Court has convicted a 33-year-old Germiston man of murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition following a deadly shooting at his parents' home in Leondale in January 2023. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the verdict, which prosecutors say exposes a motive rooted in financial gain.
How the attack unfolded
According to the NPA, the incident occurred on 31 January 2023. The accused, named in court records as Manqu Ndimphiwe, approached his parents' vehicle as they returned home that afternoon and opened fire at close range.
- The father, Mawethu Manqu, sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
- The mother was shot; the bullet reportedly entered through her cheek and exited through her chin. She survived after receiving emergency medical care.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said the State presented evidence during the trial indicating the attack was premeditated and argued that the accused was motivated by greed, intending to benefit from his parents' wealth, pension benefits and other assets.
"The prosecution argued that the attack was motivated by greed," Mohlatlole said, adding that investigators linked the alleged motive to a desire to profit from the parents' assets.
Legal process and next steps
The trial proceedings concluded with a guilty finding. Sentencing was postponed and the matter will return to the Gauteng High Court for sentencing on 14 September 2026. The NPA said the conviction reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting serious violent crime and securing justice for victims and families.
The investigating officer told the court that the evidence pointed towards a planned attack rather than a spontaneous act, and that there was no sign of remorse from the accused, the State said.
Local impact and context
For residents of Leondale and greater Germiston the case cuts close to home. Family-targeted violence — where relatives are attacked for perceived financial gain — raises difficult questions about household security, inheritance disputes and the welfare of surviving victims. Community leaders and local policing structures will be watching the sentencing phase closely, both for the symbolic weight of the judgment and for practical outcomes such as whether additional criminal charges or civil proceedings follow.
Shooting incidents in residential areas contribute to a sense of vulnerability among neighbours who expect their homes to be safe spaces. The NPA's statement that the conviction "underscores" its resolve to hold perpetrators accountable aims to reassure residents that violent acts, even those within families, are subject to the full force of criminal law.
| Key dates | Event |
|---|---|
| 31 January 2023 | Shooting at Leondale family home |
| August 2026 | Conviction entered by Gauteng High Court |
| 14 September 2026 | Sentencing scheduled |
Members of the community and victims' support organisations often call for stronger preventative measures, improved witness protection and greater collaboration between local police and prosecuting authorities to ensure timely investigations and prosecutions. The NPA's public response highlights the prosecutorial angle, but the case will also test support services for the surviving victim and any civil remedies the family may pursue.
As the matter moves to sentencing, residents of Germiston will be watching both for the court's outcome and for broader lessons about family safety, firearms control and how local criminal-justice institutions manage cases that involve intimate relationships turned violent.
The NPA said it remains committed to ensuring perpetrators of serious violent crimes face justice, and the court's sentencing in September will determine how that commitment is reflected in punishment.
