20 years for killing 12-year-old boy

Orlando Khoza (19) from Angelo informal settlement was sentenced to an effective 20 years behind bars on charges of kidnapping and murder in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on March 31.

The charges stem from an incident during which Khoza killed a 12-year-old boy, Zefanias Muangua, who was allegedly stealing from the community, on October 19, 2019.

The boy’s body was found face-down in a stream in Angelo.

The main post-mortem findings were alleged poisoning, strangulation, hitting the head against a hard surface and
putting the child into the river. Blunt force injuries comprising abrasions and bruising on the body and deep scalp bruising were also noted.

There was a voluminous appearance of the lungs with other indicators compatible with drowning, but not specific.

The post-mortem concluded the cause of death was asphyxia (indicative of manual strangulation), and drowning as a contributory cause could not be excluded.

The kidnapping charge arises from Khoza having deprived the boy of his freedom of movement by carrying
him on his shoulders to an open veld.

Khoza pleaded not guilty to both counts on November 22, 2021, and was found guilty on both charges and sentenced on March 31.

He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on the first charge (kidnapping) and 20 years’ imprisonment on the second charge (murder).

The sentences are to run concurrently.

Magistrate Shilubana presided and prosecutor Mooiman represented the State.

Also Read: Court in Brief

Also Read: Court in Brief