Outcry for justice to be meted out

Police Minister Bheki Cele and Premier Stan Mathabatha have pleaded with the courts to send a strong message to perpetrators of crime by imposing long jail sentences for anyone found guilty in the murder case of Thorisho Themane, especially the minors involved.
They made this plea during Themane’s funeral service on Saturday when scores of mourners gathered at Jack Botes Hall to bid farewell to the young musician.
Cele wished that the criminals involved could be sentenced to at least 40 years while Mathabatha said he learnt after Themane’s death that even minors could be sentenced to 25 year in jail and expressed the wish that such a sentence should be imposed in this case.
Cele stated that he would make a special request to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Michael Masutha on behalf of Limpopo residents that there must be a significant and clear punishment for the perpetrators. He went on to urge the Police responsible for the case to prepare a tough docket guided by the findings of the investigations and the pain they have seen at the funeral for the courts to impose tough jail sentences on those found guilty in the case.

“Information provided to me highlighted that six of the suspects are between the ages of 15 and 17 while three others are 36 years old. I fail to get a connection between the two groups but I am certain that the investigations would reveal the link. It is shocking that we have to arrest minors for committing devious crimes. I wish it was possible to release the boys from the Police cells for them to see the mess they have caused,” Cele commented.
Cele went on to say that the male suspect who allegedly boasted that his father was untouchable and that he cannot be touched must indeed be touched for him to learn that criminals are not untouchable.
He stressed that the justice system must make examples of these suspects – especially the minors. Cele went on to indicate that Themane’s death had shocked the country and reckoned that religious education should be reintroduced in the classroom.
Addressing the mourners Mathabatha urged residents to learn from the way Themane led his life. He repeated that government and law enforcement agencies must ensure that the culprits in Themane’s murder case are not released back into the society. He also seconded Cele’s idea of religious education being reintroduced in schools.
Various speakers described Themane as a young man who always ensured that people around him were happy and had never mistreated anyone. Among those who took the podium were his siblings Promises and Karabo. His parents, Mahlapahlapane and Kgalushi were overcome by grief and asked that their tributes be read on their behalf.
Following the service the programme progressed to the Silicon cemetery for the formal interment.

Story & photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za