Killer of Alex businessman jailed for life

The killer of prominent Alex businessman Mbopha Mashigo, who was gunned down at his shop on New Year’s Eve in 2017, has been jailed for life.

Jonas Ramokgola, who was charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years for possession of a firearm and six months for the possession of ammunition. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Ramokgola was sentenced by the Alexandra Regional Court on September 16 after a lengthy trial – at one point, the case was transferred to the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, only to be referred back to Alexandra, where it was concluded.

Mashigo (54) was shot dead after Ramokgola came into his eatery and entertainment outlet and gave the shop assistant R200 for an order of food and a drink. At the time, Mashigo was partially concealed from Ramokgola’s view. When the assistant shifted, Ramokgola fired one deadly shot before fleeing on foot without the food or his change. He is believed to have frequented the place daily.

Ramokgola (then 36) was traced and arrested in Randburg following a police tip-off. A resident came forward with information after the police offered a reward of R150 000 to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of Mashigo’s killer. Spokesperson for Alex Police Station at that time Captain Allie Kodisang had thanked the community of Alexandra for their help. “We could not have caught him without help from the community.”

Ramokgola is believed to be a distant relative of the family, who had lived in Alex.