The provincial police commissioner in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the jail terms handed to the last farm attack accused by the Limpopo High Court Polokwane Division on Friday, 08 March 2024
Christopher Mokgomutsi (42) was sentenced to two life terms imprisonment and a combined 55 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a farm attack on 03 August 2020.
The accused was part of a group of four male suspects who stormed the farm in Dendron and assaulted a farmer (80), leaving him unconscious before two of the suspects raped the farmer’s wife.
The suspects then took a hunting rifle and a pistol before fleeing the scene in the victim’s bakkie. They were cornered at a traffic circle outside Polokwane shortly after a manhunt was launched by the members of the Special Task team.
Police attempted to stop the motor vehicle, but the suspects fired shots, and police retaliated, resulting in the death of one of the suspects and the arrest of three accomplices. Police recovered the stolen motor vehicle, firearms and jewellery.
The investigating team managed to ensure that bail was not granted until sentencing.
Two of the accused, Aaron Mabena (22) and Nicolus Tlou (33), pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 years’ and life imprisonment, respectively, in 2021. Mabena was sentenced for house robbery, attempted murder and theft of firearms while Tlou was sentenced for rape, house robbery, attempted murder and theft of firearms.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased suspect committed rape on the farm owner’s wife together with Nicolus Tlou.
The case against the fourth accused was handled by Detective Warrant Officer Khomotjo Morathi attached to Mogwadi SAPS.
The accused was sentenced as follows:
Count 1 – Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 20 years’
Count 2 – Rape: life imprisonment
Count 3 – attempted murder: 10 years’ imprisonment
Count 4 – attempted murder: 10 years’ imprisonment
Count 5 – possession of firearm: 10 years’ imprisonment
Count 6 – possession of ammunition: five years’ imprisonment
Count 7: murder (deceased suspect): life imprisonment.
The diligent work of the investigating team is highly commendable in ensuring justice is served,” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
