London man jailed for 18 years for murder at party in Barnsley

It follows the stabbing of 26-year-old Lazarus Makono, also known as ‘Laz’

Lazarus Makono was fatally stabbed in Goldthorpe earlier this year
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 11th Nov 2024

A London man has been jailed for 18 years for the murder of a man during a party in Barnsley earlier this year.

28-year-old Sipho Pfukani, of Luxembourg Mews, was on trial at Sheffield Crown Court following the stabbing of 26-year-old Lazarus Makono, also known as ‘Laz’ .

Both were at a party in Goldthorpe on February 21 this year.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Co-operative Street at 1:21am, finding Laz with fatal stab wounds to his side.

A second man, Terrance MIotshwa, 28, of Ripley Avenue in Derby, pleaded guilty to one count of assisting an offender and one count of fraud.

He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wood, the senior investigating officer in the case, said:

“This was a cruel and senseless knife attack by Pfukani that resulted in the brutal loss of life."

“He cowardly fled the scene, leaving Laz to die and hid from police knowing exactly what he had done.

"Despite handing himself in to police he still pleaded not guilty to murder. I’m pleased that Pfukani has now been found guilty of murder and will spend a significant number of years of his life behind bars.

“Although this is a lengthy sentence, nothing can undo the destruction and devastation Pfukani has caused. I hope it gives those who knew Laz a sense of closure and that they can rebuild and move on with their lives."

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