LIMPOPO – On 28 April 2014 community members from the community at Thomo village in Giyani assaulted, stoned and doused the victim, Catherine Nkovani, with petrol before setting her alight said provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronel Otto.
She was accused of witchcraft after a younger member of her family passed away of natural causes.
“Nkovani later died in the Nkhesani Hospital.”
The five suspects were found guilty on a charge of murder earlier this month and this morning they were sentenced as follows:
Madala Nkuna (39) life imprisonment
Vonani Nkuna (24) life imprisonment
Ntokoza Nkuna (39) 16 years
Christopher Nkuna (32) 20 years
Ernest Nkuna (27) 16 years
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba welcomed the sentencing and applauded the sterling work peformed by the investigation team in ensuring the sentence.
He further expressed hope that the strong sentence will serve as a deterrent to members of the community not to accuse innocent people of wrongdoing and then brutally murder them.
