POLOKWANE – Phatudi sentenced Kedishi William Lebogo from Ga-Mashashane to life in jail after Lebogo pleaded guilty to the murder of his grandmother, Rosina Maphuthuti Lebogo (97). She was murdered on 21 August 2015.
Phatudi asked Lebogo why he murdered his grandmother, who died of blunt force trauma to the head and numerous injuries caused by a panga, to which Lebogo answered he thought she was “bewitching” his family, causing the death of his mother.
His said his grandmother was a sangoma and when he asked her about rituals performed at their house she refused to answer him, he said.
On the day of the murder he followed her and her granddaughter when they went to collect firewood where he confronted her and killed her.
In aggravation of sentence, the State Prosecutor, Adv Nozizwe Molepo, argued the murder was premeditated and was made worse by the fact that it was a gruesome attack on a vulnerable elderly person who was defenseless. Molepo emphasised the deceased was attacked in her sanctuary where she least expected to be attacked.
Phatudi said even though Lebogo was a first time offender, the court rejected his claims and said there was no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Ivy Thenga, welcomed the sentence and said it will send a strong message to society that violence against women and children will not be tolerated.
