Three men were sentenced to life for the robbery, kidnapping and murder of LGBTQI+ activist Sam Mbatha in 2021.
The judgment was delivered at the High Court of South Africa North West Division, sitting in Ga-Rankuwa on Thursday, July 25.
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 said the court ordered all sentences to run concurrently.
He said the incident occurred in Phutha Section, near Klipgat, on June 16 2021.
Gunya added that 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,” he said.
“During the trial, the court heard that officers found bloodstains on the floor, on the bed as well as on the carpet in the house where Masetla was residing.”
He said an axe used during the commission of this gruesome act was found on top of the roof.
He said Mbatha’s body was found inside a Hyundai i20 vehicle at a soccer field in Ikakeng Section burnt beyond recognition.
“DNA samples assisted the investigating team to easily identify the burnt body and it was identified as Mbatha,” Gunya said.
During sentencing, Advocate Nangamso Goloda emphasised the brutality of the crime, stating that the accused did not only kill the deceased but they burnt him to ashes, and took away his dignity while he was alive.
Goloda further said all three accused participated in this 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, believing it sends a strong message to those who think they can easily get away with crime.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
