By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Vusi “Khekhe” Mathibela, the infamous taxi boss in Pretoria, and his three co-accused have been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Mathibela and his accomplice made an appearance in the Pretoria High Court on Friday.
He was sentenced for the brutal murder of North West businessman Wandile Bozwana in October 2015.
Bozwana was shot and killed in October 2015; his female companion, Betty Baloyi, was also shot, but she survived.
During court proceedings, Mathibela wore a new beige suit and appeared unfazed while furiously typing on his cellphone.
Despite their refusal to be interviewed, the families of the deceased were all present. The court was filled to capacity, with family and friends who came in their numbers to witness Mamelodi’s Number One gangster Khekhe going down.
Judge Papi Mosipa said before the court that he was not lenient while sentencing the accused because Bozwana was a well-known businessman, who was a responsible father who was raising his children and supporting other business owners.
“It is clear that based on the confession statements that the motive is still undetermined. The accused did not testify during proceedings even after they were convicted. What is clear is that there was an instruction that led to the death of the deceased, “said Mosopa.
He said the four violated Bozwana’s right to life and dignity, bearing in mind the manner in which he was stalked from a hair salon in Sandton until he was gunned down in Pretoria.
“The actions of the accused left the children of the deceased without a father, the wife of the deceased without a husband and the rest of his family without a son, a brother or uncle. His four-year-old will grow up without knowing their father because of the actions of the accused,” said Mosopa.
Judge Mosipa sentenced Khekhe and his co-accused Sipho Patrick Hudla, Matamela Robert Mutapa and Bonginkosi Paul Khumalo to 30 years to direct jail for the first murder count, 10 years for the second attempted murder count, six years for the third count of possessing an illegal gun, and two years for the fourth count of ammunition possession.
“This sentence should serve to meet the basic requirements of a sentence and deter criminal activities and rehabilitate the accused.”
The 30-year sentence will run concurrently with the other sentences.
Bozwana’s brother Benedict Bozwana reacted with joy to the sentencing and said he was grateful the nightmare was finally over.
“It’s been almost nine years since my brother was killed. We are happy that the court gave them 30 years. This means they will be in prison for a long time. But it won’t bring back my brother. His children have been living their lives without him,” he said.