Murder accused sentenced to 15 years imprisonment
The Lebowakgomo Regional Court on 29 August 2023, convicted and sentenced a 33-year- old, Tebatso James Sibanda to 15 year imprisonment, after he was found guilty of murdering Oupa Phora aged 32.
The court heard that in the early hours of 06 July 2019, the accused had an argument with the deceased who was his brother in-law at Ga-Molapo village in Magatle, while attending an initiation ceremony.
The accused assaulted the deceased with stones and a wooden stick, then fled from the scene.
Police were summoned with Emergency Services, and on arrival they found the victim who was severely injured lying on the ground. EMS certified him dead at the scene.
The Police opened a murder case and immediately traced and arrested the suspect. The case was assigned to investigating officer Sergeant Kgaugelo Mamogobo. The suspect was arrested the following day on 07 July 2019.
On Tuesday, 29 August 2023, Tebatso James Sibanda(33) was sentenced 15 years imprisonment for murder.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the conviction and the subsequent sentencing. She further applauded the investigating officer and the team that participated in this case.
Source: South African Police Service