By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 August 2024- A Zimbabwean national (34) has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court for murder. The accused, Norest Singage was also sentenced to 27 years imprisonment for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The NPA regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the court ordered that these sentences run concurrently. Mahanjana said Singage’s accomplice, fellow Zimbabwean national, Rodwin Maphinde (34), was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

“Additionally, both offenders have been declared unfit to possess firearms. The court heard that on 26 August 2020, the first victim was accosted by a group of men, while praying on the R80 Mabopane highway.

“He was robbed of his cellphone and bank cards. Subsequently, on 12 September 2020, the second victim, along with his wife and children, stopped at the same highway and was approached by the same group. They were taken to a nearby mountain, where tragedy struck,” she said.

Mahanjana further said Singage, while forcefully taking the wife deeper into the mountain, shot and killed her. She added that miraculously, the husband managed to escape and promptly reported the incident to the police.

“Following a thorough investigation, the two suspects were apprehended on 24 October 2020 in Marabastad, where Singage was employed as a vendor. Throughout the trial, Singage and Maphinde pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them, denying all involvement. The NPA welcomes the sentencing.

“We reiterate our commitment to holding offenders accountable and enhancing public safety in South African communities. This case serves as a reminder that the NPA will continue to vigorously prosecute violent crimes and advocate for justice for victims and their families,” said Mahanjana.

However, the state prosecutor, Lebogang Mokome, successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. During the sentencing proceedings, the accused, through their legal representative, sought leniency, citing their responsibilities to their minor children and requesting consideration of the time they had spent in custody since their arrest.

In response, Mokome argued against leniency, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crimes, as the accused had deliberately targeted unsuspecting victims.

“The deceased brutally lost her life, and the husband lost his wife while the children lost their mother. The violent crime in this country is prevalent, so urge the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentences without deviation,” she said.

When handing down the sentence, Magistrate Thapelo Motiang noted that the two showed no remorse for their actions.

“There was no need for the deceased to lose her life as both were cooperating with the instructions they gave during the incident. We re-affirm the community’s growing frustration with violent crimes and it is up to the courts to protect the community against such offences.”

“While I see grounds to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence for the first count of robbery due to the complainant sustaining no injuries, I found no compelling circumstances to do so for the murder charge and the second count of robbery,” he said.

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