LIMPOPO – SELLO William Nkuna (42) was sentenced to two life terms for murder and rape, and five years for house breaking with the intention to steal.
He appeared in the Mokerong magistrate’s court outside Mokopane last week.
According to the information provided by the police in the Mokerong cluster, it is alleged that a pensioner, Raisibe Maria Ramaboya (88) was raped and strangled to death on the night of May 16 last year at Bakenberg, Pudiakgopa village outside Mokopane.
It is also alleged that some of her belongings, including a television set, cellular phone, home theatre speakers and bedding set were stolen.
The case was opened at Tinmyne police station after Ramaboya’s relatives were concerned that the old woman was never seen for several hours and that raised suspicions in the neighbourhood.
Following an investigation by Const Karabo Mocheko, Nkuna was arrested after being found in possession of the stolen property belonging to the deceased a month after the commission of the crime in question through a detective-driven operation.
When he first made his bail appearance, he was granted bail of R500. However, his days of freedom were cut short when he was also linked to additional crimes of rape and murder through DNA.
Elsewhere in the Sekgosese magistrate’s court, Mashapa Mokhithi Richard (37) of Mamaila village was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. Mashapa was sent to life behind bars after he murdered his daughter Sharon Mashapa (19) in 2012.
According to the police, Mashapa senior hit her daughter with a crowbar on the back of the head. She was certified dead on the scene by paramedics. The sentencing of both Nkuna and Mashapa were welcomed by provincial police commissioner Lt Genl Fannie Masemola. Masemola said, “we encourage the community to report crimes in their area”.
