Life in prison for Limpopo doctor’s killer
The well-known medical doctor was attacked after concluding his business at an ATM located in the central business district (CBD) of Phalaborwa.
LIMPOPO – On Wednesday the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane sentenced the man who murdered Phalaborwa resident, Doctor Basil Khoza to life in prison.
The well-known doctor was attacked late in the evening on 25 August 2016 after he concluded his business at an ATM located in the central business district (CBD) of Phalaborwa.
According to police reports Khoza, who was 63 years old, was followed by two men who overpowered him and hit him over the head with a blunt object. They robbed him of an undisclosed amount of money and his wallet, containing several bank cards.
Khoza collapsed and died on the scene. His body was discovered in a pool of blood. A case of murder and robbery was opened at the Phalaborwa Police Station.
Read more:Â Phalaborwa doctor murdered, investigations continue
The cases were assigned to investigating officers, Cpt Mogale and Sergeant Kubayi and two suspects, Lazarus Mhlongo (35) and Madala Rodney Nene (33) were apprehended shortly afterwards. Both accused appeared in the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s COurt son after on charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, Regional Spokesperson for the Director of Public Prosecutions said Nene pleaded not guilty to the charges while his co-accused died of natural causes before the commencement of the trial.
She added that during the trial, State Advocate George Sekhukhune, led the evidence of an eye-witness who testified that on 25 August 2016 the deceased was attacked by both suspects. “According to the eye-witness report the deceased, Dr Basil Khosa was at an ATM in Palm street, Phalaborwa when Nene and Mhlongo approached him from behind and Nene hit him on the back of his head using a brick. The doctor collapsed and died on the scene.”
The eye-witness told the court that after the attack the suspects searched him and took and unknown object, said Dzhangi.
A wallet containing identification card and drivers licence was found near Eskom premises, not far away from the crime scene on 20 September 2016.
She added that the court also heard the testimonies from the two police officers who attended the crime scene as well as a doctor who verified the cause of death was as a result of blunt trauma to the head.Â
“Sekhukhune told the court that Nene was not remorseful and added that he had robbed society of a medical doctor who contributed immensely to the health sector. He asked the court to impose a life imprisonment sentence as there were no compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence,” she explained.
Judge President Ephraim Makgoba concurred with the prosecutor and sentenced Khosa to life imprisonment terms for murder and an additional 20 years’ imprisonment term for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) together with Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the life term imprisonment meted out against Khoza’s killer.
“This hefty sentence should send a clear message that crime does not pay,” Hadebe said.
She further commended the detectives for their meticulous investigations that ensured that the suspects were arrested, prosecuted and one of them, ultimately incarcerated for life.
