Karabo Makhubedu (32), appeared before the Mhala Regional court on Tuesday, 26 September 2023, facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition which occurred in February 2023, business robbery which happened in Bushbuckridge in August 2023 and possession of a prohibited firearm which happened at Masoyi in September 2016.
Makhubedu was arrested alongside other six serial killers, Shane Ngutshane, Dallas Mokoena, Donald Ndlovu, Prince Mahumane, Pholosho Mlimi and Johan Ndlovu who are facing more than seventeen murder cases which transpired between 2014 and 2020 in Calcutta, Kabokweni, Masoyi, Hazyview and Bushbuckridge respectively as all the matters are still in court.
On 11 January 2022, Makhubedu who’s been determined to be a mastermind, together with his other accomplices were sentenced by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court as follows:
Karabo Makhubedu – Life imprisonment for murder and a combined 65 years’ for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
Vusi Sihlabela – Life imprisonment for murder and a combined 75 years’ for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
Norman Mokoena – Life imprisonment for murder and a combined 65 years’ for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
The sentence followed after the court heard how, on 02 June 2019, when 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 wherein Sihlabela was traced and arrested in August 2019. Makhubedu and Mokoena were arrested in 2020. The accused are serving life time imprisonment while still attending courts for other cases. The case against Makhubedu is postponed to 10 and 16 October 2023.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Gerber commended the manner in which the seasoned and experienced investigating officer opposed bail against all the accused and further secured such praiseworthy sentences. He further treasured the Prosecution authorities for imposing such a suitable sentence to those heartless criminals who doesn’t deserve to leave amongst the people. This type of sentence will change the perceptions and bring confident to the people about our justice system. He concluded.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48626.
