The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari welcome the life term handed down by the North West High Court, sitting in Mogwase on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, to Ali Banda (55), Thabang Masiane (28) and Tshepiso Mqoma (29). The accused persons were further sentenced to 15 year for robbery aggravating, five years for defeating the ends of justice and another five years imprisonment for kidnapping. Kagiso Morutlwa (28), Solomon Lambane (57) and Thabang Mokoka (31) were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery aggravating and kidnapping.
They were sentenced for the kidnapping and murder of Koketso Ntsimane (37). According to evidence heard before the court, Ntsimane went missing on Wednesday, 27 October 2021, in Mapaputle village outside Mogwase. Although Ntsimane’s motor vehicle was also stolen, it was later recovered. Subsequent to investigation into the matter, the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, 7 and Wednesday, 8 December 2021. Further investigation into the matter led to the discovery of Ntsimane’s badly decomposed body in the bushes in Mapaputle village.
The accused’s bail applications were successfully opposed. Thus, they have been in custody since their arrest.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and Dr Makhari applauded the Investigation Team, led by Captain Lefty Motswadi of Mogwase Detectives as well as Advocate Baitsi Chulu and Advocte Dibuseng Ntsala from prosecution for their collaboration that resulted in the conviction. They further pointed out that the sentence, which was secured through collective efforts by the entities, will definitely send a clear message that those who commit crime will not be tolerated.
The post Six men sentenced for murder, kidnapping, hijacking and defeating the ends of justice appeared first on South Africa Today.