Pta politician’s murderer gets 30 years
Monoko Francis Thoko was found guilty of the murder of the politician and house-breaking with intent to murder.
The 29-year-old murderer of ANC politician Mapiti Matsena was sentenced to a 30-year jail term in the North Gauteng High Court recently.
This was after Monoko Francis Thoko was found guilty of murdering Matsena, Gauteng member of provincial legislature and chairperson of the safety and security portfolio committee, on April 21.
“He was also found guilty of house-breaking with the intent to kill,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Thoko pleaded guilty to the charges of murder and housebreaking with the intent to murder.
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During sentencing, state advocate Mari Marriot argued that Thoko’s offences were planned as he had waited until 21:00 in the evening to break into the deceased’s home.
Marriot also said it could not be argued that his guilty plea constituted remorse as the state had a “very strong” case against him.
Matsena was at his home, along Holy Rock Road, in Doornpoort when Thoko broke into his bedroom.
“When he gained entry, he found Matsena’s wife in the room while Matsena was in another part of the house,” Mahanjana explained.
“When the wife saw Thoko, she started screaming. Thoko told her to be quiet and covered her with a blanket.”
She further said that when Matsena entered the bedroom, he and Thoko started fighting.
“Thoko stabbed him multiple times and he died on the spot,” Mahanjana said.
Matsena’s death was described at the time as a “terrible blow to his family, friends, comrades colleagues and the movement” by ANC’s Gauteng and provincial executive committee spokesperson Bones Modise.
“He will be remembered as a dedicated, hardworking and humble cadre who was a true servant of the ANC and the people. He carried assignments given to him with tremendous energy and an unquestionable commitment,” he said at the time.
Matsena was also serving as a member of the portfolio committee on infrastructure development and property management at the time of his murder.
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