Man who shot at looters sentenced to 29 years’ imprisonment
“He failed to send representatives to apologise on his behalf to the deceased or financially help with the burial as per the African custom."
Trigger-happy bouncer Jabu Radebe was sentenced to 29 years’ imprisonment by the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
He was found guilty and charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
For the murder charge, he was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
On the two attempted murder charges he received seven years each.
The sentences are set to run concurrently.
On September 4, 2019, Radebe, who was a bouncer at a foreign-owned spaza shop, opened fire on a group of residents who were looting shops in Kwa-Thema.
The 37-year-old shot Pule Khanyi, who died on the scene.
Thandi Mahlangu was shot four times in her leg. Three of the bullets are still stuck in her leg.
Another survivor, Desmond Ngomani, was shot twice.
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During her judgment, magistrate Khensani Moila said Radebe didn’t show any remorse for his actions.
“He failed to send representatives to apologise on his behalf to the deceased or financially help with the burial as per the African custom.
“After the shooting, you picked up 19 cartridges from the scene before handing yourself over to the police.
“This shows you were trying to tamper with the evidence,” she said.
The deceased’s mother, Basetsana Khanyi, could not contain her emotions during the sentencing and said she expected a harsher sentence.
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“He will one day walk out of prison and pick up where he left off. I will never get my son back,” she said.
Mahlangu echoed Khanyi’s sentiments and added she has lost the use of her legs.
“My life hasn’t been the same since that fateful day. I have three bullets stuck in my right leg and am forced to live with this pain for the rest of my life while he still has the function of his legs.”
Mahlangu explained all three victims were not part of the group looting the shops.
“The deceased was visiting his aunt. I was returning from work, while Desmond was walking home.
“He even shot when I pleaded with him that I was not part of that group. I called out his name twice,” she said.
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