Ga-Rankuwa – Three suspects 22-year-old Author Khonza, 24-year-old Nkuna Mahlatsi and 25-year-old Thatho Mahlatsi found guilty of the murder of Sam Mbatha have been sentenced to life in prison.
In addition, the High Court of South Africa North West Division, sitting at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court, on Friday, sentenced the trio to:
- 20 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances,
- 15 years for kidnapping,
- 10 years for malicious property damage, and
- seven years for defeating the ends of justice
However, the court ordered these sentences to run concurrently with the life imprisonment terms.
The court heard that Mbatha was murdered in the Phutha Section, near Klipgat, on 16 June 2021.
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Through the intensive investigation by the Police Services following reports of a missing person who was the deceased, the three were linked to the murder.
It is alleged that the deceased went missing and was last seen in a local tavern with Masetla.
During the trial, the court heard that SAPS found bloodstains on the floor, on top of the bed as well as on the carpet in the house where Masetla was residing.
The court heard that an axe was found on top of the roof where bloodstains were discovered.
The axe was used during the gruesome murder.
Mbatha’s body was found inside a Hyundai 120 vehicle at a soccer field in the Ikakeng Section. He had burnt beyond recognition.
Mbatha was positively identified through DNA tests.
In aggravation of the sentence, Advocate Nangamso Goloda said: “The sentences that should be imposed must be fit to their brutal savage.”
He said the accused, not only killed the deceased, they took away his dignity before they murdered and burnt him to ashes.
Advocate Goloda, in closing further said, all three accused participated in this brutal murder with a common purpose, so they must be sentenced to nothing less than a life sentence.
The North West Director of Public Prosecutions Dr. Rachel Makhari commended the good work done by the police, state prosecutors, and other role players in securing the convictions and sentences.
Dr. Makhari welcomed the sentences, saying they send a strong message to anyone who thinks they can get away with committing a crime.
