MAN SLAPPED WITH 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF PREGNANT WOMAN

POLOKWANE - The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed a 15 years imprisonment handed down by the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane against Gabriel Tailor Malepe. 21-year-old from Ribacross Mandela section, was on Friday 28 October 2022 sentenced after he was convicted of murdering a 17-year-old pregnant woman. The court heard that on 13 February 2021, the accused took the victim to his residence and during the night she was severely assaulted after being accused of cheating by the accused. The next day, the victim went home as she was not staying far from her boyfriend's place. On 17 February 2021, the victim's mother noticed the injuries on her head and bruises to her neck and abdomen. She immediately took her to the hospital where she, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries. The case was investigated by Sergeant Lerato Rosemary Lefala who opposed bail from the day she made the arrest until Friday, the 28th of October 2022 when the High court sentenced the accused to 15 years imprisonment. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

THE FOURTH ACCUSED IN THE MURDER CASE OF COLLINS CHABANE MAYOR WAS DENIED BAIL

The fourth accused, Wiseman Baloyi (37) was denied bail in Malamulele Magistrates' Court, for the murder of the Collins Chabane Municipality Mayor, Councilor Moses Maluleka (56). He is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. During the bail hearing Baloyi failed to show that there are exceptional circumstances in his case, consequently the court denied him bail. The accused testified that he needs to look after his three children and his wife, he further testified that he is a sole breadwinner. The state, represented by Advocate Ronald Sithada, strongly opposed his released on bail, stating that he has failed to show exceptional circumstances, witnesses are not safe and there is a strong case against him which attracts a life sentence should he be convicted. The court remarked that there is no exceptional circumstances that exists to warrant Baloyi’s release on bail. Therefore, the interest of justice does not permit his release. Baloyi was charged with other four accused, Shumani Nemadodzi, Avhatakali Mulaudzi, Isaac Mudau and Tshianeo Munyai, who during the course of their appearances abandoned bail. This follows an incident which took place in Xikundu Village, on 21 July 2022, where the accused allegedly shot and killed Maluleke, at his homestead, while he was with his 18-year-old son. The matter is transferred to Polokwane High Court for trial on 29 May 2023.

TENDER FRAUDSTER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR DEFRAUDING ROADS AGENCY LIMPOPO

LIMPOPO - Phasoe Jabu Matlala was on 28 September 2022 found guilty and sentenced by the Mankweng Regional Court for defrauding Road Agency Limpopo over a road construction tender. In 2017, Matlala approached a company director and told him there was a tender to construct the road in Tzaneen area advertised by Roads Agency Limpopo. He further requested to use the company's particulars to bid for a tender as his company did not meet the minimum requirements. The tender worth R1 42 386-68 (one million forty thousand three hundred and eighty six and 68 cents). After they had an agreement to use the director's company particulars to bid for a tender, Matlala came back at a later stage and told the victim that he did not get the tender, therefore he will not share any money with him. In a period of two years, the victim was surprised to receive information from SARS that he was owing money from the tender that he was awarded by Road Agency Limpopo which he was told it was not awarded. The matter was reported to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probe. While investigating the case, it was established that the victim's company was actually awarded a tender but Matlala changed the original banking details of the company and put his. On 10 October 2019, Matlala was warned for court and attended his trial until he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment half of which is suspended for a period of five years.