By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Four teenagers found guilty of the murder of aspiring musician Thoriso Themane in 2019 have been sentenced to 10 years each.
They are now 18 years or older and committed the crime when they were minors.
Kgothatso Teffo, Raofa Mothemela, Tshiamo Miyeni and Lesetja Ramokgopa will spend varying lengths of time in youth centres, depending on their age, before being moved to prison when they turn 21.
Two other teenagers – Thabang Mohubedi and Adaho Mudau – were sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years, for common assault.
Two adults – Chuene Maleka and Alfred Mothapo – were convicted of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and were handed R20 000 fines each or five years in prison.
Passing sentence in the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo on Wednesday, Deputy Judge President Violet Semenya described the killing of Themane as “horrible and painful”.
Themane died after he was brutally attacked at Fauna Park suburb, Polokwane, in February 2019 which lasted between three and four hours before he was left lying on the street until he was taken by ambulance to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Semenya found the four teenagers, sentenced for the murder, participated in all seven stages of the attack.
Family Spokesperson Karabo Themane says the sentences are light.
“Well, first of I feel that was a lousy judgement. I feel it hasn’t done justice to what happened to my brother. What happened to my brother was not just murder; it was a brutal and evil act and to show mercy to such people to me is an insult to my family and the community. To me, this is a slap on the wrist.”
Judge Semenya ordered the youth centres, where they will be detained, to provide progress reports.
She also instructed the probation officer to return to court on Friday to confirm whether the teenagers have been admitted to the centres.