Thabo Motaung (40) was sentenced to life imprisonment when he appeared before Rustenburg Regional Court on 17 April 2023, following his arrest on 30 November 2020.
The accused was involved in a business robbery that took place in Marikana where he and others robbed a shop.
Whilst members of Marikana Crime Prevention were following up on leads regarding the incident of business robbery that had occurred a few days earlier, they spotted the accused and others at an informal settlement in Marikana.
When they approached the group, they were met with gunshots. A shootout ensued resulting in the fatal killing of a police officer and the subsequent arrest of the shooter.
A Norinco 9mm firearm and ammunition was seized for further investigation.
The matter was taken over by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the accused made his first appearance in court where he was remanded in custody until his conviction.
Motaung was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, seven years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition, two years imprisonment for discharging a firearm and twelve months imprisonment for being an illegal immigrant.
The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director for Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo lauded the exceptional work by all police units that were involved and the sterling work by the prosecutor, Adv. Nong who ensured that justice is served.
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