Limpopo man jailed for life for setting two men alight

Quick read

• Daniel Komana (57) was sentenced to two life terms by the Polokwane High Court.

• He was convicted of murdering Mack Leposha Mashapa and Makhotla Geoffrey Thabana in Ga-Molepo in October 2019.

• The victims were abducted, assaulted, and burned alive by a group of cattle owners from Sebjeng.

• Komana also received an R8 000 fine or four years’ imprisonment for assault, half of which was suspended.

• Co-accused Rampedi Malatjie (71) and Mmanaka Rasehlo (57) were sentenced for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

• The attack was described as mob justice driven by personal grievances.

• Full story below

Full story

POLOKWANE – The Polokwane High Court has sentenced Daniel Komana (57) to two life terms for the murder of two men in Ga-Molepo outside Mankweng.

In addition to the murder convictions, Komana received a fine of R8 000 or four years’ imprisonment for two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Half of this sentence was suspended for three years.

Two co-accused were also sentenced in connection with the same incident.

Rampedi Jeriel Malatjie (71) was handed a wholly suspended sentence of four years or an R8 000 fine for two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mmanaka Phillemon Rasehlo (57) received the same sentence as Komana for the assault charges, with half of his term similarly suspended.

All three men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court heard that on October 21, 2019, a group of cattle owners from Sebjeng confronted two men, Mack Leposha Mashapa and Makhotla Geoffrey Thabana, at their home.

The mob forcibly took the victims to the Sebjeng community hall, where they were interrogated and savagely assaulted.

The assault continued until the victims were taken to a nearby bush, where they were set alight and killed.

Crucial testimony came from the wives of the deceased, who provided a detailed account of the horrific events that led to the murders.

The incident was reported to Mankweng police the following morning, and the accused were arrested shortly thereafter.

In arguing for a harsh sentence, state advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo highlighted the disturbing frequency of mob justice in South Africa.

He urged the court to impose strong punitive measures to discourage citizens from taking the law into their own hands.

The court found that the murders were premeditated and driven by personal grievances.

Ratshibvumo also noted that as mature individuals, the accused should have exercised better judgment and acted within the confines of the law.