Chronicle EditorThupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Four Zimbabweans based in South Africa were on Friday sentenced to life in jail after they were convicted by the Pretoria High court for teaming up to kill a soldier in that country.
Cuthbert Ndlovu Malatjila (22) from Winterveldt, Talent Moyo (31) from Oukasie, James Muzora (26) and Luckson Simbarashe Ruchapu (28) both from Mabopane were convicted for a crime committed in 2022.
In addition to the life imprisonment they also earned 15 years’ direct imprisonment for 4 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and 5 years each for 3 counts of attempted murder.
The four were convicted of a premeditated murder of the soldier, Joel Karabo Sekano and a bystander Edward Karabo Dire.
Gauteng regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) (Pretoria), Miss Lumka Mahanjana said Malatjila, Muzora and Moyo were sentenced to 25 years collectively for 2 counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and 12 months each for 2 counts of possession of ammunition.
“In addition, Malatjila, Ruchapu and Muzora were further sentenced to 12 months each for being illegal in the country,” she said.
“The court ruled that these sentences would run concurrently with the life sentences and further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm”.
Miss Mahanjana 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 them.
She said they robbed them of their cell phones and wallets, during which Sekano’s friend was struck on the head with a firearm, rendering him unconscious.
After which, the accused persons fatally shot Sekano and stole his firearm before fleeing.
“After regaining consciousness, Sekano’s friend alerted his mother and transported the victim to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival,” said the official.
“Later that evening, the same perpetrators targeted a group of five men sitting outside a house in Phase 2, Oukasie and robbed them of their cell phones, money, and a television 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 at gunpoint, robbing them of their cash and cell phones before escaping”.
She continued, “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. Dire succumbed to his injuries on the scene”.
Miss Mahanjana said the four men were later arrested by the police following thorough investigations by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
She said the gang remained in custody throughout the trial.
The official said although the gang denied the charges in court they were convicted on the strength of the State’s evidence.
“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,” said Miss Mahanjana.
“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 lives of two people and attempting to kill others.
“Furthermore, Shivuri said the four did not value or respect people’s lives and had no regard for the law”.
Online Reporter