Richard Hasane, 36, Richard Magawu, 32, Matthews Legodi, 52, Frank Baxane, 34, and Charles Mpondomisa, 42, were all found guilty on two counts of murder, Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said in a statement.

Baxane and Mpondomisa were also found guilty of possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. The five men were expected to be sentenced between June 24 and 26.

Baaitjies, a former Danielskuil ward councillor in the Kgatelopele Local Municipality, was found dead on the main road between Danielskuil and Postmasburg in August 2016. He had been shot twice in the head and once in the torso. At the time of his death, he was with his friend Jeffrey Nose, who was shot in the face and died in hospital seven days after the shooting.

Baaitjies was lured to a business meeting. He took along his business associate and friend Nose. On their arrival, they were ambushed and Baaitjies was shot three times. He was also dragged behind a vehicle. Nose was shot while seated in a bakkie and was transported to Kimberley Hospital where he later died.

The Hawks serious organised crime unit was charged with investigating the matter and within 48 hours, Magawu was arrested. Further investigations led to the arrest of Paullis Mvuleni Mcgwera, 50, Mpondomisa, Legodi, Hasana, and Baxane in September and October the same year.  

Before the start of the trial in 2018, Mcgwera died and the case against him fell away. Several attempts by the accused to apply for bail proved fruitless until their conviction this week, Mulaudzi said.

Northern Cape Hawks head Maj-Gen Kholekile Galawe had commended the investigation team for their diligent efforts in ensuring that the accused were eventually brought to book.

“We commend the work of the investigating team and the untiring efforts of the prosecutors. The conviction is highly commendable and sends a clear messages that any form of murder, irrespective of political affiliation, will not be tolerated in the Northern Cape. We are committed to serve the public with integrity, impartiality, without fear, favour or prejudice,” Galawe said.

African News Agency