The Northern Cape High Court showed no mercy by putting Thapelo Robert Neels (21) behind bars for eighteen years. Thapelo has been convicted and removed from the society on two criminal charges, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and murder.
He has been sentenced three years imprisonment for Assault GHB and fifteen years for murder, and the sentences shall not run concurrently.
On the 5th October 2017, Thapelo went on rampage and stabbed Ohentse Tonyane (35) and with broken bottle, and fatally wounded Xolisile Mbalo (31).
Subsequent to the commission of these barbaric crimes he fled the scene. However he could not run nor hide from the long arm of the law and he was arrested, while hiding in a shack near Phuthanang in Galeshewe.
The Northern Cape High Court learned during witness testimony, that on the night of commission of crime the convict vowed to kill somebody. The Acting Judge Vernon Smith, said “Thapelo had committed brutal crimes, he showed no remorse for crimes he committed, did not want to take responsibility for his action. The deceased did nothing wrong against the convict”.
Even though Thapelo was a first time offender, the state looked into the interest of the society, at the end of the day justice had to be served. The state has a duty to safeguard communities, against criminals. It is in the interest of communities to see criminals serving jail terms or removed from the neighborhoods accounting for the crimes they had committed.
The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant Shivuri, revered the outcome of the Northern Cape High Court with regard to jail term handed down on Thapelo. And continued to praise the Warrant Officer Lentikile Shuping, for taking the Department of Justice and National Prosecuting Authority into confidence during investigation.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
