Fanie Maphonkolo (29), Tumelo Masisi (37), Neo Lebeloane (29), Aupa Mosesi (35), Goitsemang Khunou (28), and Esrom Mafoko (42) were sentenced to 15 years for murder and a further 10 years on a charge of attempted murder.

According to North West National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame, the conviction comes after an incident at Ramokala village on 27 December 2018, when members of the community assaulted two men, Andries Mabula and Mogomotsi Mojela, on suspicion of having been paid R3 000 to kill Maphonkolo and Masisi. Mamothame said one of the victims died after the assault, while the other had to move to another province due to further threats against his life.

The G4S Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.

“State prosecutor William Lebelo urged the court to impose a sentence befitting the crime and one that will send a strong message that members of the community should report all crimes to authorities and not take matters into their own hands. In imposing the sentence, magistrate Herbert Modiba agreed with the State and remarked that the accused violated the deceased’s right to life, the surviving victim’s right to bodily integrity and security, and his right to be free from being subjected to violence,” Mamothame further explained.

The court ordered that five years of the attempted murder conviction should run concurrently with the 15-year sentence for murder. This means the six men will serve an effective 20 years’ direct imprisonment. Members of the public have been urged not to take the law into their own hands.

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