By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The five men accused of the murder Collins Chabane Municipality Mayor Moses Maluleke have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Polokwane High Court Judge Violet Semenya handed down the sentence on Thursday.
The convicted killers are, Shumani Nemadodzi [48], Avhatakali Isaac Mudau [39], Wiseman Baloyi [37], Tshianeo Munyai [32] and Pfunzo Lidzebe [33].
They were sentenced on the following charges: conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The incident took place in Xikundu village on 21 July 2022, at his homestead. The accused gained access to the premises of the deceased, in the evening and shot him.
The court accepted the evidence of a key witness who was used by the state in terms of section 204 of Act 51 of 1977. The court found that the witness testified frankly and honestly. This witness implicated himself, all the accused persons and other unknown people in the commission of these offences.
The court found that the state has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that the accused at all times were acting in furtherance of a common purpose and that the offences committed by the accused were planned.
The defence lawyer pleaded with the court to have mercy on them and deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
During sentencing, senior state advocate Eric Mabapa called Rhangeleni Mambre Maluleke, the wife of the deceased mayor Maluleke. She told the court that, as a result of this incident their doors and gates were always under lock fearing for their lives. The deceased was a generous person who would assist anyone who was in need in the community. She is struggling to manage the family household. Her son [Ntokoto] who is not well remains suffering lodged under his kidney. She pleaded with the court to impose life imprisonment on all the accused.
Semenya sentenced all accused to life imprisonment for murder. 10 years for attempted murder. 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 5 years each for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The sentence will run concurrently with life imprisonment. The court further ordered that all accused be declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the court, we hope that the sentence will be deterrent to other criminals out there.
“We have got the life imprisonment for the murder of mayor of Collins Chabane and the accused were ordered not to posses firearms,” said the spokesperson for National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
The family of the late Maluleke has also welcomed the guilty verdict handed down to the accused.