Four sentenced for robbery and murder of SANDF member
The mother of one of the deceased has to pass by the spot where her son was killed as it is in front of her yard, which is a constant reminder of her son’s murder.
Four foreign nationals, aged 22 to 31, were sentenced in the Pretoria High Court on March 26 for various serious offences, including the murder of an SANDF member.
Cathbert Ndlovu Malatjila (22) from Winterveldt, Talent Moyo (31) from Oukasie, James Muzora (26) and Luckson Simbarashe Ruchapu (28) both from Mabopane were sentenced to life imprisonment, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.
They are all originally from Zimbabwe.
Each was sentenced for two counts of premeditated murder of a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member, Joel Karabo Sekano and a bystander Edward Karabo Dire.
The convicts will each also serve 15 years direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years each for three counts of attempted murder.
Furthermore, Malatjila, Muzora and Moyo were sentenced to 25 years collectively for two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and 12 months each for two counts of possession of ammunition.
Mahanjana said: “In addition, Malatjila, Ruchapu and Muzora were further sentenced to 12 months each for being illegal in the country. The court ruled that these sentences would run concurrently with the life sentences and further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.”
She said on the evening of June 16, 2022, Sekano and his friend were standing outside his residence in Masakeng Section, Oukasie, when the four men approached.
“They robbed them of their cellphones and wallets, during which Sekano’s friend was struck in the head with a firearm, rendering him unconscious.
“The attackers then fatally shot Sekano and stole his firearm before fleeing. After regaining consciousness, Sekano’s friend alerted his mother and transported the victim to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.”
She said later that evening, the same perpetrators targeted a group of five men sitting outside a house in Phase 2, Oukasie. They robbed them of their cellphones, money, and a TV before fleeing the scene.
“In the early hours of June 17 2022, the gang targeted another residence where a family was gathered around a fire. They held the family [up] at gunpoint, robbing them of cash and cellphones before escaping.
“Two family members later set out to track the perpetrators and found Malatjila and Muzora at a nearby tavern. When confronted, the two opened fire inside the tavern, injuring four people.”
She said Dire succumbed to his injuries on the scene. Following investigations by the SAPS, all four men were arrested at their respective residences and remained in custody throughout the trial.
Mahanjana said the accused pleaded not guilty, denying involvement in the crimes. However, the prosecutor Advocate Michael Shivuri presented compelling evidence proving their guilt.
“During sentencing, the defence requested a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences, citing the accused’s young age and family responsibilities.
“However, Advocate Shivuri asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence and argued that the four committed serious offences, they were on a robbing spree which resulted in them taking the lives of two people and attempting to kill others.”
She added that Shivuri said the four did not value or respect people’s lives and had no regard for the laws of the country.
“Shivuri also read into the record the Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer Lebogang Lebese, where the mother of the deceased SANDF member wrote that she has to drive past the place where her son was killed.
The spot is “directly in front of her yard as such, that is a constant reminder of what happened to her, she is suffering emotionally and financially as she is left with the responsibility of taking care of the deceased’s child”.
Mahanjana said Judge Francis-Subbiah concurred with the State, stating that the accused showed no remorse.
“He emphasised that courts are entrusted with protecting communities from such heinous crimes and must impose stern and effective punishment.
The judge found “no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a lesser sentence as there are no factors that count in their favour for a lesser sentence than that which is prescribed”.
Mahanjana said the NPA welcomed the sentence, reaffirming its commitment to justice and the protection of South African citizens.
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