By REGINALD KANYANE
14 May 2025- Four accused, Mbulelo Suswana (34), Sindile Olifant (25), Matjaleng Mbipha (27), and Tebogo Moshane (23), were each sentenced on two counts of murder and one of arson committed in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp on 30 August 2022. This comes after the police were summoned to Extension 24, where a house was set alight and two men were stabbed to death.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said upon arrival, the police found the body of Xolile Nxamakele (28), with multiple stab wounds on his body. Mokgwabone said furthermore, Nkululeko Paraffin’s body (25), also with multiple stab wounds, was found not far from the initial crime scene.
“The preliminary investigations led to the apprehension of Mbulelo Suswana and Sindile Olifant shortly after the incident. The matter was handed to the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit for investigation and that culminated in the arrest of two more suspects, Tebogo Moshane and Matjaleng Mbipha at Extension 22 in Jouberton Township.
“It also transpired that the incident was linked to gang rivalry,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said all accused have been in custody since their arrests. He added that Suswana, Olifant, Mbipha and Moshane were sentenced to double life imprisonment for murders and 15 years for arson each.
“The accused were all declared unfit to possess firearms in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 60 of 2000,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, thanked the Investigating Officer, D/Sgt Buti Matlhoko, the prosecutor, Chris Kok and all other role players for their tireless efforts that ensured the convictions. Asaneng said that the sentence meted out to these four accused should send a strong message and stern warning to other gangsters in Jouberton and the entire Dr Kenneth Kaunda District that their time to face the full wrath of the criminal justice system is near.
“For many years the social fabric and peaceful co-existence of the communities of Jouberton, Kanana, Khuma and Tigane have been torn apart by marauding gangs of mostly teenagers committing the most barbaric and horrendous crimes.
“It is precisely the reason why the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit was established in 2020/2021, and it is hoped that the heavy sentences meted out to these four young men, who are supposed to be at the prime of their lives will serve as a deterrence to other gangsters to mend their lives of crime which has brought hardships and pain to their families, friends and the communities they live with,” he said.
Asaneng said while these former mining townships are on the periphery of affluence, but ravaged by the scourge of substance abuse, poverty and unemployment, there is absolutely no justifiable reason for the existence of the internecine marauding gangs, especially when one takes into consideration the many inspirational role models that have come from these places especially in the sports and music spheres.
“Hopefully, this tragedy will galvanise the people of Jouberton and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, civil society, Faith Based Organisations and government on a new path of moral regeneration and Botho/Ubuntu,” he concluded.
The Guardian 