Trio sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of 2 girls in Centurion
A third girl (16) was shot in the neck but survived the attack and managed to crawl home for help.
Three Zimbabwean men who killed two girls in cold blood and left another critically injured after they refused them sexual favours, were sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court.
The incident occurred in Olievenhoutbosch in February 2023.
Edison Ngamiko (38), Amos Hassan Masiya (38), and Edron Panashe Chisanako (39), were further sentenced to 10 years in prison each for attempted murder and 12 months for being in the country illegally.
Victims met their killers at a tavern
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the trio were approached by three girls aged 15, 16, and 23 at Mashanganeng Tavern in Olievenhoutbosch.
The girls initially asked for money to buy alcohol and the men gave them R40. They then asked for another R20 to pay someone to accompany them home.
“Later that night, as the girls were leaving the tavern, the accused accompanied them,” said Mahanjana.
When they reached Mamello Street, Chisanako demanded sexual favours from the 15-year-old.
“When the girl refused and the 16-year-old reprimanded him, Chisanako shot the 16-year-old in the neck.”
She said he then shot the other two girls multiple times, leading to their deaths at the scene. Ngimako was also shot and injured during the incident.
Ngamiko, who realised that the 16-year-old girl was not dead, attempted to shoot her again but the gun had run out of bullets. The trio then fled the scene.
Survivor crawls home for help
According to Mahanjana, the surviving victim crawled home and reported the incident. Police discovered the two bodies during a patrol of the area that same night.
She said their investigation led to Ngamiko’s arrest three days later, on February 20, while he was receiving treatment for his gunshot wound.
“Masiya was arrested on October 9 on unrelated charges but was later linked to the murder. After, he identified Chisanako, who was apprehended the next day on October 10,” said Mahanjana.
Men plead not guilty
During the trial, all three pleaded not guilty, with Ngamiko and Masiya acknowledging the incident but claiming that Chisanako was the one who committed the offence.
Chisanako denied being present that day.
“However, Prosecutor Advocate David Molokomme successfully presented compelling evidence, including witness testimonies, that established the trio’s common purpose in committing the crimes,” said Mahanjana.
Lasting psychological effects on survivor
During sentencing, the defence sought leniency, appealing to the court to consider their family responsibilities in Zimbabwe.
Molokomme emphasised to the court the defendants’ lack of remorse and their previous convictions for violent crimes, including robbery and housebreaking.
“He highlighted the significant emotional trauma inflicted, supported by a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer Legobang Lebese. The VIS revealed the lasting psychological effects on the surviving victim where the victim indicated that she still has flashbacks of the day of the incident and still experiences pain where she was shot.”
The court agreed with the state’s position, noting the lack of remorse and the brutal nature of the act, saying the three men, while seeking a better life in South Africa, instead chose a path of violence and disrespect of the law.
The NPA welcomed the sentencing saying it a crucial step towards justice.
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