MOKOPANE – Sam Matjila (58), Desmond Machaba (52) and Patric Sekhu (58) who were members of the Mahwelereng Taxi Association killed Mgidi, who was a member of the Mogalakwena Residents Association, during the Easter weekend in 2015.
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Judge Gerrit Muller found the men guilty on charges of murder, assault and theft. Mgidi was shot at the Caltex filling station on the corner of Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki Drive on 4 April.
One of the state’s key witnesses, Oscar Ratombo, was with Mgidi on the day of the attack.
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He gave evidence that Machaba hit him in the face and removed the car keys in the ignition. He ran away from the car and heard gun shots. He later returned where he found Mgidi lying on the ground with the police and paramedics at the scene.
The incident sparked outrage in the area and when the accused appeared in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court in 2015 for bail, the CBD were shut down. Bail was denied.
The three men did not plead guilty in the Limpopo High Court and said they acted in self defense, however the court found that it was impractical that the three men who started the chase acted in self defense.
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According to witness evidence the accused started the fight.
Judge Muller said he did not believe the accused’s testimony that they did not kill Mgidi.
Their firearms were used at the scene.
He was convinced that the State has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The men were remanded in custody until 2 August for mitigation and sentencing.
redakteur.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
