Thoriso Kgomo murder: Closure despite ‘light sentence’
The family of the late Thoriso Kgomo says the lighter sentence will do well in giving them closure although they hoped for a longer imprisonment.
POLOKWANE – “We won’t get Thoriso back, we will be able to sleep better knowing the person who killed him is in jail.”
Rhodes Kgomo, who spoke to BONUS on behalf of the family of the late Thoriso Kgomo, said they had hoped Mochemi would pay for the life he took with a life sentence, but that the 17-year sentence would do well in giving the family closure.
“We were hoping for a heavier sentence but we have no option but to accept the decision of the judge.”
He added that the family has sat down and decided to start the healing process to get closure.
On Tuesday, 23 March, 19-year-old Dimakatso ‘Budda’ Mochemi was sentenced to 17 years in jail for the murder of Kgomo.
Mochemi was on trial in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane for Kgomo’s murder and a kidnapping and rape charge, on which he was found not guilty.
Kgomo was stabbed by Mochemi at a crossover event in Seshego in 2020, over a hat which Mochemi said belonged to him.
Kgomo, a Northern Academy learner at the time, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital a few days later.
The community in Seshego had, at the time of the murder, alleged that they were being terrorised by a group of teenagers, led by Mochemi, and demanded that justice be served.
Kgomo says Mochemi started showing remorse during the last days of the trial as opposed to his initial attitude, adding that he had apologised to the family as well as the Seshego community.
“Thoriso’s father also took a stand asking for a heavier sentence, saying that he wanted Mochemi to be removed from the community for good,” he added.
Vincent Kunutu, Spokesperson for the Seshego Community Against Drugs and Gangsterism non-profit organisation says they are not happy with the sentence and were hoping that Mochemi would be sentenced to life with no option of parole.
“This 17-year sentence means that after serving half of the time, he will be allowed to come back into the community. We are not happy with the sentence.”
