In a significant development, the five men accused of murdering Collins Chabane Municipality Mayor Moses Maluleke in 2022 have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane.
The accused, Shumani Nemadodzi, Avhatakali Isaac Mudau, Wiseman Baloyi, Tshianeo Munyai, and Pfunzo Lidzebe, aged between 32 and 56, faced charges including conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The 56-year-old mayor was tragically gunned down in his home in Saselamani Village, while his son was also shot and wounded.
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The Limpopo police had initially offered a reward of up to R250,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. It remains undisclosed whether this reward has been or will be paid out.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, stated that the accused gained access to the premises in the evening and shot the mayor while he was with his 18-year-old son.
They also took his cell phone. Malabi-Dzhangi further explained that the court accepted the evidence of a key witness who implicated himself, all the accused, and other unknown individuals in the commission of these offences.
The court found that the state had successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that the accused were acting in furtherance of a common purpose.
During the sentencing proceedings, Nemadodzi called his wife to plead for leniency on his behalf. She implored the court not to impose life imprisonment, citing their second-born child’s health challenges, including cancer and heart disease.
Similarly, Mudau, Baloyi, Munyai, and Lidzebe also requested mercy from the court, emphasizing their desire to continue supporting their families.
The defence lawyer appealed to the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing for leniency. However, Senior State Advocate Eric Mabapa called on Rhangeleni Mambre Maluleke, the wife of the deceased mayor, to provide a victim impact statement.
She described the impact of the incident on their family, highlighting the constant fear for their lives and the struggle to manage the household. Malabi-Dzhangi added that their son, Ntokoto, is still suffering from a bullet lodged under his kidney.
Mabapa contended that the sentence should be retributive and deterrent due to the seriousness and prevalence of the crime.
He further argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He emphasized that the offences were driven by greed and stressed the importance of considering the interests of society.
Deputy Judge President Matsaro Violet Semenya delivered the sentence, imposing life imprisonment for murder, 10 years for attempted murder, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 5 years each for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The sentences will run concurrently with life imprisonment. Additionally, the court declared all the accused unfit to possess firearms.
Advocate Ivy Thenga, the Director of Public Prosecutions, expressed satisfaction with the sentence and expressed hope that the family would find closure.
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