By REGINALD KANYANE

A 49-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for triple murder by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase on Friday. Peter Bila killed three people by dousing their rented room with petrol and setting it alight.

On 15 August 2019, the deceased couple, Mmusi Ratlotleng (41) and Nkagisang Mothopi (38) were sleeping in their rented room when Bila doused it with petrol. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said, in the process, another room where a girl, Angel Chimomo (13) was sleeping, also caught fire.

The atrocity took place in Rustenburg Noord.

“All three deceased were severely burned and succumbed to their injuries while in hospital. The accused was charged with three counts of murder of which he was given life imprisonment for each.

“He was further sentenced to ten years for arson and five years for malicious damage after two vehicles that were parked outside the house caught fire,” Botma said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the life imprisonment handed down to Bila. Kwena commended the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Richard Mokgogwane, and the Prosecutor, Advocate Sello Maema as well as other role players for their teamwork that resulted in the conviction.

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