Four Zimbabwean nationals based in South Africa have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court after being convicted for their involvement in the brutal killing of a South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) member, Joel Sekano, in 2022.
Cuthbert Ndlovu Malatjila (22) from Winterveldt, Talent Moyo (31) from Oukasie, James Muzora (26), and Luckson Simbarashe Ruchapu (28) from Mabopane were found guilty of premeditated murder, robbery, and attempted murder.
In addition to life sentences for the murder of Sekano and an innocent bystander, Edward Karabo Dire, the four men received 15 years’ imprisonment for four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years each for three counts of attempted murder.
The court also imposed further penalties: Malatjila, Muzora, and Moyo were sentenced to a collective 25 years for two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms, and each defendant received 12 months for two counts of possessing ammunition.
Malatjila, Ruchapu, and Muzora were sentenced to 12 months for being in South Africa illegally.
Gauteng regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana, confirmed that these sentences will run concurrently with the life imprisonment terms.
The tragic incident occurred on June 16, 2022, when Sekano and his friend were standing outside his residence in Masakeng Section, Oukasie, when the four men approached them.
They robbed the victims of their cellphones and wallets, and during the robbery, Sekano’s friend was struck on the head with a firearm, knocking him unconscious. The robbers then fatally shot Sekano and stole his firearm before fleeing the scene. Said Mahanjana:
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In court, they pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, the State led compelling evidence. And the four were convicted and later sentenced.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and reaffirms its commitment for justice in the protection of South African citizens.
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Pindula News

Four Zimbabwean men in South Africa were sentenced to life in jail for killing a soldier, Joel Sekano. They were also convicted of robbery and attempted murder. They received additional years for possession of firearms and being in the country illegally. The incident happened in 2022 when the men robbed Sekano and his friend, leading to Sekano's tragic death. The court handed them the harsh sentences after they were found guilty. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that the sentences will run at the same time as the life imprisonment.

Four Zimbabwean Nationals Sentenced To Life For Killing South African Soldier

A 23-year-old Zimbabwean man who was allegedly shot dead by a South African soldier at Limpopo River was buried in Bulawayo on Friday.
Mduduzi Mbulelo Mlilo was reportedly assisting border jumpers and smugglers at an illegal crossing point on 02 April when the soldier shot him once in the breast, killing him instantly.
Mlilo was among a group of 16 smugglers who were intercepted by South African soldiers at an illegal crossing point.
His body was taken to Tshilidzini Mortuary in Limpopo Province where it was kept pending police investigations.
The soldier who shot him has since been arrested and charged with murder and is set to stand trial at the Musina Regional Court on 15 May.
Mduduzi’s father, Dubayi Mlilo, told <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zim-man-killed-by-sa-soldier-buried-in-bulawayo/">the Chronicle</a> that his son was buried at Luveve cemetery. He said:
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This is devastating; my son was killed just like that. If they were really implementing the law, they could have arrested him and taken him to court.
We have had an update from the police and we will follow the case with interest.
We are quiet saddened by this incident and we hope he will get justice.
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Mlilo said according to witnesses, Mduduzi was shot while assisting people to smuggle an assortment of goods, mainly onions.
He said he was told that the soldier jumped from a vehicle and opened fire at Mduduzi while standing on the river bank.
He then fell into the water and his body was later retrieved and taken to the mortuary around 8 PM after lying on the riverbed for almost six hours.
On 15 February this year, a member of the South African Border Guard shot and killed a Zimbabwean man at Beitbridge Border Post.
The man was allegedly shot for reprimanding the Border Guards for assaulting an old woman who was picking up empty cans and plastic containers for recycling.
The incident occurred at the foot of the New Limpopo Bridge (NLB) on the South African side of the border at around 4 AM.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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