NPA condemns vigilance after six men convicted of Rustenburg murder

Acts of violence and coercion have no place in South African society.

Director of the North West Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Dr. That’s what Rachel Makhari said on Wednesday as she welcomed the sentencing of six men for murder and kidnapping.

The men were sentenced to direct imprisonment by the Mogwase District Court for their roles in the murder and kidnapping of Katlego Donald Tshite, 34, in a mob justice incident on January 31, 2023.

Tshite was killed and kidnapped

The court sentenced six defendants: Sydney Obakeng Raikane (40), Happy Magatshe (34), Karabo Edward Modise (32), Matshidiso Motshepe (34), Kamogele Eric Mosothoane (34) and Sikwane Dunga Danke (40). Imprisonment from 10 to 20 years.

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is committed to ensuring justice is served. Acts of violence and unlawful acts have no place in our society,” said Dr. Makhari.

“Communities are urged to report crimes to authorities and let the legal system take its course.”

ALSO READ: Wallacedene tragedy: Police suspect caution in triple murder case

According to NPA regional spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya, an investigation revealed that Tshite attended a meeting of a grieving family in Rustenburg’s Manamakgoteng village.

The community accused him of stealing the hair clipper.

“Despite his protests of innocence, community members arrested him. When Tshite tried to escape he was captured and taken to a nearby ‘Apollo Light’; it was a notorious place for extrajudicial ‘community hearings,'” Gunya said.

The attackers brutally attacked the victim at this point, causing his tragic death. Police found Tshite’s beaten body the next day.

Gunya explained that investigators later found the hair clippers in the family’s possession, which was the alleged cause of the fight. Details of his recovery remain unclear.

In court, Raikane, Magatshe, Modise, Motshepe, Mosothoane and Danke pleaded not guilty to murder and kidnapping charges. The court convicted them after the evidence presented linked them to the crime.

ALSO READ: Suspected outlaw gang terrorizes Amouti, KZN, leaving six dead

Gunya said State Attorney Tebogo Mokoka emphasized the need to discourage vigilance and promote respect for the rule of law.

Gunya “noted the irreplaceable loss of life caused by the defendant’s actions and urged the court to impose a life sentence.” he said.

In sentencing, Judge Lebo Raborife accepted the state’s call for accountability but rejected the life sentence, citing evaluations in pre-sentence reports.

Responsibility of prudence

Raborife stressed that the court must ensure that sentences reflect the degree of involvement of each defendant in the crime.

The court sentenced Modise and Motshepe to 20 years in prison, while Raikane, Magatshe, Mosothoane and Danke were sentenced to 10 years in prison each.

Makhari welcomed the sentences and praised the joint efforts of law enforcement and prosecution teams.

NOW READ: Lights out: Eastern Cape vigilantes found guilty of murdering group accused of stealing light bulbs