LIMPOPO – Judge Khami Makhafola said he has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the evidence of the state witnesses against the nine community policing forum (CPF) members accused of murder.

Avhakholwi Tshivhase (40), Joko Mudzanani (51), Kuvhanganani Abraham Mudau (45), Ntshengedzeni Patrick Muthegu (49), Nthambeleni Obert Lukhwareni (52), Maanda Nephalama (27), Mpho Sidney Musundwa (29) and Azwianewi Mphathele (40) appeared in the High Court of South Africa: Thohoyandou Division on Tuesday (February 1).

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the accused faced charges related to the killing and kidnapping of Vhonani Sibara and Thanziela Mailanombe.

“Two of the other accused, Livhuwani Shela Khohomela and Rudzani Patrick Mathaulula, died before the trial. The group, who handed themselves to the police, denied the commission of the offences and pleaded not guilty,” her statement explained.

Malabi-Dzhangi said the accused are members of the CPF in Tshivhilwi village, but that this CPF was not recognised by SAPS.

Advocate Nnyambeni Nekhambele represented the state and called witnesses to prove the case.  “The state witnesses testified that on February 24, 2014, the accused was looking for Sibara. They found him, tied him up and took him to a certain spot where they heavily assaulted him for having been found in possession of a cellphone of one of the villagers,” Malabi-Dzhangi added.

She explained that the group then searched for Mailanombe, who was kidnapped and later released. “All the accused were present and participated by heavily assaulting the deceased with sjamboks, hosepipes and kicking him. During sentencing, the court said that throughout mitigation, the accused lied to the court, did not accept the responsibility and never showed remorse,” Malabi-Dzhangi said.

Makhafola convicted all accused and said he considered various sentences. “They were all sentenced to life imprisonment for a count of murder, eight years for kidnapping and six years for another count of kidnapping. The court ordered that the sentence of two counts of kidnapping will run concurrently with the life sentence,” Malabi-Dzhangi concluded.

The sentence has been welcomed by Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Ivy Thenga who commended the work done by the investigator and Nekhambele.

“The DPP hopes this sentence will send a strong message that people must not take the law into their own hands,” Thenga added.