Trio sentenced to life for gruesome murder of LGBTQI+ activist

Three men have been sentenced to life for the robbery, kidnapping and murder of LGBTQI+ activist Sam Mbatha.

Mbatha was murdered in 2021.

The judgment was delivered at the High Court of South Africa North West Division, sitting in Ga-Rankuwa, on Thursday.

Author Khonza (22), Nkuna Mahlatsi (24) and Thatho Masetla (25) were found guilty of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, malicious damage to property, and defeating the ends of justice.

National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya says the court ordered all sentences to run concurrently.

He says the incident occurred in Phutha Section, near Klipgat, on June 16, 2021.

According to Gunya, an intensive police investigation linked the trio to Mbatha’s murder after he was reported missing.

“It is alleged that Mbatha was last seen in a local tavern with Masetla, accused number three.

“During the trial, the court heard that officers found bloodstains on the floor, on the bed and on the carpet in the house where Masetla was residing.”

An axe, used in the commission of the crime, was found on top of the roof.

Gunya says Mbatha’s body was found burnt beyond recognition inside a Hyundai i20 at a soccer field in Ikakeng Section.

“DNA samples assisted the investigating team to identify the burnt body,” Gunya says.

During sentencing, Advocate Nangamso Goloda emphasised the brutality of the crime, stating that the accused not only killed the deceased but burnt him to ashes and took away his dignity.

He said the trio participated in the brutal murder with a common purpose, so they must be sentenced to nothing less than a life sentence.

Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the police and prosecution teams for their work.

She welcomed the sentence, saying it sends a strong message to those who think they can easily get away with crime.