By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Two men aged 35 and 37, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Stilfontein Regional Court for murder of Mafooa Gift Fana Phushudi (28). On 9 July 2020, the police were called to a house in Extension 9 in Khuma Township, near Stilfontein, where Phushudi’s body was found lying face down in the living room with hands and feet tied up.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, a post mortem revealed that Phushudi died due to strangulation. Myburgh further said, the meticulous prosecution led investigations, resulting in the arrest of Thabiso Matthews (35) and Simon Tshimo (37), only a few days after the incident.
“Matthews and Tshimo, made their first court appearance on 13 July 2020 and their bail applications were successfully opposed. In addressing the court on sentence, the state prosecutor put aggravating circumstances before the court.
“He said the accused committed a heinous offence, which shocked the members of the community at large and that must be given a sentence that will serve as a deterrent. Matthews and Tshimo were further declared unfit to possess firearms in terms of section 103 of the Firearm Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” she added.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence. They also applauded the Investigation Officer, Warrant Officer Ettienne Fourie of Khuma Detectives, as well as the state prosecutor, Chris Kok, for their collaboration that resulted in the conviction.
“The sentence, which was secured through collective efforts by the entities, will definitely send a clear message that those who commit crime will not be tolerated,” said Kwena.
TaungDailyNews 