LIMPOPO – 19-year-old Ridovhona Tshiwandalane was sentenced to an effective nine years imprisonment without the option of a fine for public violence that took place in the Vuwani area in May 2017, confirmed the police on Tuesday evening.
During this incident several vehicles belonging to the police, the SABC and private individuals as well mobile ablution facilities were stoned and damaged.
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Tshiwandalane and his co-accused Aluwani Maphiri (23) appeared before the Vuwani Regional Court on Monday 26 February, where Tshiwandalane was convicted of malicious damage to property and Maphiri had his case remanded to 19 March for trial, Police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said.
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The remaining three, namely, Innocent Motabatshidi (22), Ntshangedzeni Mudau (31) and Ntungufhadzeni Makhitha (36) have been indicted to stand trial on 20 March, he added.
“The 19-year-old accused was in addition to the nine years imprisonment meted against him by the court, declared unfit to possess a firearm,” Mojapelo confirmed.
“The Task Team that was established to investigate all public violence related crimes in Vuwani, is hard at work to ensure that all responsible persons are brought to book. During 2016 alone, the police have registered more than hundred cases emanating from the Public Violence incidents that afflicted several areas of Vuwani and sixty two (62) suspects were subsequently arrested. Investigations into these cases are still pending. This public violence led to unprecedented acts of vandalism during which government and private properties were either torched or severely damaged.”
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has hailed this team and encouraged it’s members to leave no stone unturned until all cases are successfully prosecuted.
