On August 7, 2021, Thabiso Lethube Masie and a friend were driving from Shikiming village when they came across Selowa-Makhotoka and a friend pretending that their vehicle had broken down and are in need of assistance. Masie was acquainted with Selowa-Makhotoka and stopped her car. Masie was shot five times by Selowa-Makhotoka. She was rushed to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, says Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, spokesperson of the NPA.

“After shooting Masie, SelowaMakhotoka fled the scene. In an attempt to conceal his deeds, he instructed his friend to mislead the police about his identity and to clean the deceased’s vehicle to eliminate possible fingerprints and gun residue using methylated spirits. The friend was later turned into a Section 204 state witness,” says Malabi-Dzhangi.

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Selowa-Makhotoka was on the run until two months later when he was arrested at a filling station near Polokwane. In aggravation of sentence, Adv Muneiwa Ratshibvumo argued that contract killings have become very prevalent in communities and harsh sentences are warranted. She further argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence to send a clear message to other would-be criminals.

“In sentencing, Judge Maake Francis Kganyago stated that the deceased was killed by a person whom she trusted. “The court further remarked that Selowa-Makhotoka was an evil man who hides behind a pulpit, a wolf who disguised himself in a sheep skin,” says Malabi-Dzhangi. Selowa-Makhotoka was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, five years for illegal possession of a firearm, two years for possession of ammunition and one year for attempting to defeat the ends of justice. The director of public prosecutions, Adv Ivy Thenga, congratulated Ratshibvumo and investigating officer, Eric Mathebula of the Mokwakwaila Police Station.