Riba Cross killer sentenced
The court heard that on February 13, 2021, the accused took the victim to his place and during the night she was severely assaulted after he accused her of cheating
BURGERSFORT – The murderer of a 17-year-old was handed a hefty sentence by the Polokwane High Court on Friday.
Gabriel Tailor Malepe (21) from Mandela Section, Riba Cross, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for murdering a pregnant teenage girl, believed to be his girlfriend.
“The court heard that on February 13, 2021, the accused took the victim to his place and during the night she was severely assaulted after he accused her of cheating.
“The next day, the victim went home as she did not live far from him.
“The victim’s mother noticed the injuries on her head, the bruises on the neck and on her abdomen. She immediately took her daughter to Dilokong Hospital, where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries,” said the Limpopo SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi.
The case was investigated by Sergeant Lerato Lefala, who opposed bail from the day she effected the arrest until Friday October 28, when the high court sentenced Malepe.
He was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The provincial commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the sentence. “This is a warning to criminals and abusers. The SAPS will work hard to fight gender-based violence.”
