Mavodze convicted and sentenced for double murder

Lynne Ndlovu

Osborne Nhlalala Mavodze (32) was found guilty of two counts of double murder by Magistrate Marley Mokoena earlier this month and was sentenced to two life sentences on April 25.
Thembisa SAPS communications officer Const Patricia Mgijima said the trial started in 2021 and he was found guilty of the murder of Beauty and Valencia Sekgola.
This came after police responded to the scene of a fire on February 2, 2020, in Winnie Mandela where a shack had been burned down.
“The tenant, who was sleeping in the same yard, had heard a commotion and a man shouting and demanding bank cards. He heard the man shouting at Beauty and inquiring about her younger sister, Valencia.
“The man rushed outside and attempted to chase the man away as he had threatened to kill both siblings. After a few minutes, a bang was heard, followed by the cries of Beauty and Valencia.
“They were crying for help and witnesses then realised Beauty and Valencia's shack was on fire,” said Mgijima.
Community members assisted in putting out the fire, but the shack had already burned down. The two women, 32 and 21 years old at the time, were seriously injured.
Both were taken to Tembisa Hospital and a charge of attempted murder was filed at Tembisa Police Station.
“Sgt Ronnie Rabedzwana assumed command of the inquiry and ensured that no stone was left unturned. He identified Mavodze as a suspect.”
Rabedzwana also obtained statements from both victims during hospitalisation at Tembisa Hospital before both died as a result of their injuries.
“Rabedzwana obtained additional evidence that placed Mavodze at the crime scene. When the siblings died, the attempted murder charge was upgraded to murder.
“During the inquiry, it was also discovered that Mavodze had one of the victim's cellphones, which he had left at his birthplace in Limpopo. Police had to recover it because it was part of the investigation and evidence,” said Mgijima.
Col Rose Mokoena, acting station commander, commended Rabedzwana for the investigation that resulted in the imprisonment.