By OBAKENG MAJE
A man from Amalia was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for murder, while his friend, Tseko Maine was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for murder. This comes after Tshepiso Mafoko (28) and Maine (35) were found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder.
The duo robbed Aobakwe Kgosima (31) in the early hours of Saturday morning in Amalia village, near Schweizer Reneke on 10 February 2018.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, Kgosima who was from Taung, was visiting his friend in Amalia when he went to a local tavern. Funani said the evidence indicated that the Maine and Mafoko followed Kgosima when he went back to his friend’s place.
“Kgosima was about to open the door when the convicts approached and dragged him outside the yard. Mafoko stabbed him with a knife, while Maine took his cell phone and wallet, then fled the scene. A neighbour, who witnessed the incident called the police. The latter called an ambulance and the victim was found still alive and lying on the ground.
“He managed to identify the suspects, who were part of the bystanders, and informed his friend who tipped the police. Kgosima was ferried to the hospital, where he died on his arrival. In the ensuing investigation, Mafoko and Maine were arrested on 13 February 2018. They have been in custody since their arrest,” she said.
Funani further said Mafoko was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, while Maine was sentenced to 20 years for the same offense. She added that, both Maine and Mafoko were sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and the sentencing will run concurrently.
“They were both declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000). Mafoko was also sentenced to 18 years each imprisonment for two counts of rape that he committed before killing Kgosima.
“He was linked to two counts of rape after he raped two minors in September 2012 and October 2014. According to information, Mafoko was on parole for a case of house-breaking and theft, which he committed in 2017,” said Funnai.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Sello Kwena welcomed the sentence and congratulated the Amalia Detectives and the Prosecutor for working together in securing the conviction, which he said will certainly serve as a deterrence.
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