Thirteen members of the notorious Boko Haram gang which terrorised residents in Ritavi for about three years were sentenced to six and ten years imprisonment respectively for violent crimes by the Polokwane High Court on Monday September 10.
Read: Seven arrested for alleged ‘Boko Haram’ murder
The infamous gang members, all from Dan village, who terrorised the residents of Lusaka Village and the surrounding areas were convicted and sentenced for contravening the Rioters Assemblies Act and murder.
Read: “Boko Haram’s” reign of terror
Sipho Shabangu (32) was sentenced to an effective 10 years imprisonment for killing Joel Nkgapele (27), who was commonly known as ‘Sakhile’ by hacking him to death with an axe next to the local tavern on February 12 last year.
Shabanu’s accomplices, Joseph Regani (22), Thembinkosi Rikhotso (20), Ralph Mushwana (24), Amukelani Ngomane (19), George Nkuna (33), Shaddy Baloyi (26), Nhlamulo Nyathi (19), Ben Malesa (27), Joseph Nukeri (22), Olly Shikati (26), Tiyana Xivutiso (19) and Dennis Baloyi (21) were each sentenced to six years imprisonment.
Read: TZANEEN: Crime awareness at schools after Boko Haram terrorise villages
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba welcomed the jail terms imposed on members of the ill famed group which will possibly bring a relief to all the affected communities in the area.
Ledwaba hailed the excellent performance by the provincial detectives and the crime intelligence.
“We hope that these jail terms will serve as a deterrent to those who are still perpetrating these type of heinous acts,” concluded General Ledwaba.
Letaba Herald readers expressed their outrage via social media of the sentences given:
Dallas Hagler: 10 years for killing someone with a panga? The judge must stop sniffing glue.
Khanyisa Mabunda: These people are playing with us, 10 years that person is going to be out in 5 years. This is not a good example to set for the other people who are still committing this type of crimes.
Mandy Rudman: 10 years for hacking someone to death. Is this a joke. Mohwidi Noko: I wish they gave them life sentences, those boys are full of shit.
Ma-sego D Shimange: 10 yrs for murder?? 5 yrs or less for this hooligans ? I wish thunder can strike them . haaaai.
Bongane Ralph: Not yet done, wipe them all i am sure some are left behind. Billy Raganya: Gwa swana fela they ‘ll be released soon.
Smallz Louis Marobela Marobela: U rape u get 15 yrs and u kill u get ten !!! Wtf???????
