Cape Town – The Polokwane High Court has sentenced seven vigilantes convicted of killing a 25-year-old man at gaMakgwakgwane village in the Seshego policing area, Limpopo, in 2020.
The court heard that the accused, aged between 27 and 58, kidnapped and assaulted the victim before dousing him with a flammable substance and setting him alight.
“The group had accused him of stealing and raping an old woman in the area. He was also accused of bringing criminals to their area who were terrorising community members.
“The police were summoned with emergency personnel and he was taken to hospital. The victim managed to provide the police with the names of suspects before he succumbed to his injuries after few days,” police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.
He said the investigating officer Sergeant Masedi Gabriel had thoroughly linked the suspects to the murder before he and his team arrested them.
The accused were sentenced as follows:
1. Mabusele Andries Sturu (30): 12 years for murder and 10 years for kidnapping
2. Mathobela Johannes (46): 18 years in prison for murder
3. Nkoana Khutso (32): 10 years for murder and 18 years for kidnapping.
4. Kgaabi Alpheus (33): 18 years for murder and 10 years for kidnapping.
5. Mathala Lincan (29): life imprisonment for murder and 10 years for kidnapping and
6. Komape Phuti (39): 12 years for murder 10 years for kidnapping,
7. Maleka Samuel (58): 15 years for murder and 10 years for kidnapping.
All accused were declared unfit to possess firearms.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentences handed down by the court.
“These hefty sentences should send a clear message to everyone that the Police will exercise zero tolerance to any community members who continue to take the law into their own hands.
“I also want to appreciate the investigating officer and his team for the job well done,” Hadebe said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
