The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has welcomed hefty sentences that were handed down to three accused for a range of crimes they committed in June 2019.
The three accused, Vusi Sihlabela 41, Karabo Makhubedu 31 and Norman Mokoena 25, were sentenced on 11 January 2022, by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court.
The court heard how on 2 June 2019, the three entered a local tavern at Marite Trust near Hazyview and randomly targeted as well as robbed a man of his wallet. When they heard the following day that he had reported the incident to the police they hunted him down, found him at his house and shot and killed him.
They also shot and injured his nephew in the process.
Police then launched an investigation into the matter and managed to trace and arrest Sihlabela in August 2019. Makhubedu and Mokeona were arrested 2020.
They were sentenced as follows:
1. Vusi Sihlabela – Life Imprisonment for murder and a combined 75 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
2. Karabo Makhubedu – Life imprisonment for murder and a combined 65 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
3. Norman Mokeona – Life imprisonment for murder and a combined 65 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
The Provincial Commissioner has also applauded the team of detectives for their hard work and thorough investigation that led to this notable conviction.
