Three men sentenced to life imprisonment for killing man over his cellphone in Limpopo
Jan Maboka, Simon Mahlare and Sello Ephraim Matsebedi from Mmotong village in Moletji were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Limpopo High Court for murdering Edward Patience Bazil during a robbery over his cellphone and cigarettes.
Image: Supplied/ NPA
The Limpopo High Court in Polokwane has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for brutally killing a man and stealing his cellphone and cigarettes.
The convicted men, Jan Maboka, 31, Simon Mahlare 34, and Sello Ephraim Matsebedi, 27, all from Mmotong village in Moletji, were found guilty of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
They were each handed life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently, meaning each will serve an effective life term behind bars.
According to evidence presented in court, on 19 January 2024, the trio were roaming the outskirts of Polokwane with the intent to rob unsuspecting victims when they confronted Edward Patience Bazil, who was walking with friends.
The accused attacked Bazil, stabbing him with a knife before stealing his cellphone and a packet of cigarettes. They fled the scene, leaving him dead.
Two days later, community members in Westenburg recovered Bazil’s cellphone from a woman who had unknowingly purchased it. Police investigations led to the arrest of the three men shortly thereafter.
During sentencing, State Advocate Nkhetheni Munyai presented a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Court Preparation Officer Morongwe Moifo, based on an account from Bazil’s wife. The statement described the emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the family, who have been left financially and emotionally devastated following the death of their breadwinner.
Munyai argued that the crime was heinous and senseless, and that the accused had shown no remorse for their actions.
Welcoming the ruling, Advocate Ivy Thenga, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, said: “It can never be overemphasised how important human life is. We will continue to pursue such cases vigorously to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.”
Thenga also commended Advocate Munyai and Sergeant Rambuwani of the Westenburg police station for their dedication and teamwork, which led to the successful conviction.
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