POLOKWANE – The loved ones of Fabian Patience, who was killed for his cellphone near Nirvana on January 19 last year, have expressed mixed emotions following the sentencing of his three murderers by the Limpopo High Court on Thursday.

Jan Maboka (31), Simon Mahlare (34), and Sello Ephraim Matsebedi (27) from Mmotong in Moletji, were handed life sentences for murder and 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, to run concurrently.

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The trio pleaded not guilty and were never granted bail during the nearly two-year trial, during which evidence revealed that they were routine robbers in Polokwane.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Patience was confronted and stabbed by the accused while in the company of friends.

They stole his cellphone and a packet of cigarettes before fleeing the scene.

Two days later, the cellphone was recovered from a woman who had purchased it. Following a police investigation, the accused were arrested.

In court, the prosecutor presented a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) prepared by court preparation officer Morongwe Moifo, based on the account of the deceased’s wife, Hazel Patience. The statement highlighted the psychological and financial hardships the family endured, as Fabian was their breadwinner, and the emotional void left by his absence.

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Speaking to Polokwane Observer, Hazel said she is still “going through a lot” without her husband.

The deceased’s sister, Andriese Verveen, expressed relief that the lengthy trial had concluded while acknowledging the family’s ongoing grief.

Verveen thanked the Westenburg community for their support, including a petition submitted to the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, which she believes helped ensure the case was taken seriously.

“We pray they continue to support other victims and thank the courts for their effectiveness,” she added.