By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
11 November 2026 – A man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court for murder. This comes Eugene Makomane (22), killed a man in Ritchie, Northern Cape.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the incident occurred on 2 March 2024, at a taxi rank in Ritchie, where the deceased was gambling with other people in the company of his girlfriend when Makomane approached him and confronted him about a previous incident in which he had allegedly been stabbed by a friend of the deceased. Senokoatsane said when the deceased ignored him and asked him to leave him alone, Makomane allegedly became enraged, pulled out a knife and stabbed him once in the back of the neck.
“Despite the victim falling to the ground, Makomane continued stabbing him twice in the back before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested after being identified by witnesses.
“During the trial, Makomane pleaded not guilty and raised self-defence as his argument. However, the state, led by Prosecutor Mothelesi Katlego Thothela, presented evidence from three witnesses, including the deceased’s girlfriend and a minor witness, as well as a post-mortem report and chain evidence,” he said.
Senokoatsane further said Makomane also testified in his own defence. Je added the court found the state witnesses’ evidence clear, satisfactory and mutually corroborative on material aspects of the incident, concluding that the state had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“His self-defence argument was rejected after the court found his version false, particularly because his account changed during cross-examination. During sentencing proceedings, the state presented a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Court Preparation Officer Lindokuhle Sikhakhane, detailing the psychological trauma suffered by the deceased’s family and the impact of his death on his minor children.
“Thothela argued that Makomane had been the aggressor and continued attacking the deceased even after he had fallen and was defenceless. He further told the court that the accused had violated the deceased’s right to life and deprived his young children of a loving father and breadwinner,” said Senokoatsane.
He said the state argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence and requested 15 years imprisonment. Senokoatsane said the court agreed with the state’s submissions and sentenced Makomane to 15 years behind bars.
“He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. The conviction and sentence demonstrated the criminal justice system’s response to violent crime, emphasising that the consequences of taking a life extend beyond the victim and leave families, particularly young children, to endure lasting emotional and social hardships.
“The NPA remained committed to vigorously prosecuting perpetrators of violent crime, ensuring accountability while placing the rights and dignity of victims at the centre of the criminal justice process,” he said.
