The family of slain Bronkhorstspruit magistrate have demanded life imprisonment for the people involved in his murder.
This comes after another man arrested in connection with the killing of Victor Mabunda (50) appeared in the Bronkhorstspruit magistrate’s court on Monday.
Two other suspects appeared in court last Friday and were remanded in custody.
The men are accused of shooting Mabunda four times in the driveway of his home on 10 January.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Bronkhorstspruit magistrate ‘killers’ in court
“We are definitely calling for a life sentence. Even though that will not bring him back, we want a life sentence,” said family spokesperson Erel Ngobeni.
Ngobeni said the family was struggling to cope with the incident and the conviction of the arrested would bring closure for them.
“We are waiting for the law to take its course, but so far we are satisfied with the progress being made,” he said.
The accused man was arrested in Soweto on Friday and police allegedly found the vehicle linked to the murder in his possession, said chief prosecutor Matric Lupondo.
Lupondo said prosecuting authorities would pursue a case of pre-meditated murder.
“The man who appeared in court on Monday was out on parole for robbery with aggravating circumstances and was supposed to report to Odi correctional services in Mabopane. He was also a suspect in a business robbery in Modimolle, Limpopo,” said Lupondo.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Police still searching for Bronkhorstspruit magistrate murderer
Cosatu representative Johannes Mokoena said information at the union’s disposal showed that one of the accused was a suspect in a case over which Mabunda was presiding, fuelling speculations that the killing it was a “hit”.
“One of them had a case before Mabunda and was not granted bai. He appealed to the high court successfully. We believe that was the motivation behind the crime,” Mokoena said.
The ANC in the region applauded the police for the speedy response in tracking down the alleged perpetrators.
“An attack on the magistrates is an attack on the state. We are here to ensure that the state’s law enforcement is well supported so that at the end of the day we are able to deal with crime in South Africa,” ANC zonal committee member Dan Mabona said.
Police are still looking for two more suspects.
The case was postponed to 12 January for bail application.
LISTEN: Cosatu’s Johannes Mokoena.
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