“Blessers” get hefty sentences for murder of Atteridgeville teen
The Atteridgeville Detective Commander, Colonel Philimon Neo Siwele, ensured the "blessers" received life sentences for the murder of a teenage girl.
Four men were recently found guilty of murdering a 16-year-old girl in Atteridgeville back in 2016.
John Lekubu, Machete Eugene Masiya, Tebogo Golden Mabulana, and Lesole Redford Mashao lured the victim under the pretence of being “blessers”.
The men were handed life sentences plus 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, eight years for defeating the ends of justice, and five years for kidnapping by the Atteridgeville court.
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The teenager was reported missing and through intensive investigation, her body was later discovered in Brazzaville informal settlement, west of Atteridgeville, after a month of tracing.
It was later confirmed the teen was lured to the area under the false pretenses that she was coming to meet a “blesser”, said Atteridgeville police spokesperson Mapula Rikhotso.
A “blesser” usually refers to an older man with money, who provides money, expensive gifts and luxurious trips to young women in exchange for company or sexual favours.
“The Atteridgeville Detective Commander, Colonel Philimon Neo Siwele, ensured that the ‘blessers’ end up behind bars,” she said.
Siwele and his team of detectives followed all the leads of the case, big and small, and it resulted in the arrest.
Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Atteridgeville station commander was elated with the conviction.
He expressed his gratitude to the members and the community that gave support to the members during the investigation.
“Congratulations to the detectives for their efforts which paid off positively, removing scum from the streets of Atteridgeville and putting them where they belong, locked up.
“The Atteridgeville police continue to fight for the injustice of the community by criminals like these four,” he said.
Nkhwashu said the participation of the community was key in ensuring that these types of criminals were kept behind bars and removed from society completely.
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