Four Men Jailed for Life Over Deadly Lebowakgomo Tavern Killing as Limpopo Police Hail Swift Justice
POLOKWANE — A night that began like countless others in a village tavern ended in bloodshed, panic and heartbreak. More than two years later, justice has finally caught up with the men responsible.
The Polokwane High Court has sentenced four men to life imprisonment for the murder of 50 year old Matome Molema, who was gunned down at a tavern in Mamaolo Village under the Lebowakgomo policing area in July 2024.
The convictions mark the end of an intensive investigation and a dramatic police operation that stretched across Limpopo, ultimately leading to the arrest of all four suspects and the recovery of illegal firearms.
The accused, Bongani Nkuna (34), Bright Ncube (23), Brian Ncube (23), and Tumelo Maloma (32), were found guilty of murder, firearm related offences and, in the case of the Ncube twins, contraventions of the Immigration Act.
Court proceedings revealed that on Sunday, 7 July 2024, the four men arrived at the tavern armed with two pistols before launching a deadly attack on Molema. After firing the fatal shots, they fled the scene in a white Volkswagen Jetta, leaving behind a traumatised community and a grieving family.
Their escape, however, was short lived.
Two off duty members of the Provincial Flying Squad responded swiftly and initiated a pursuit that was supported by members of the Mookgophong Farm Watch. The coordinated operation led to the successful arrest of all four suspects and the recovery of two unlicensed firearms believed to have been used in the crime.
The investigation was later transferred to the Provincial Investigation Unit, where Warrant Officer Mokhepo Gafane meticulously built the case that would eventually secure convictions in the High Court.
Investigators also successfully opposed bail applications, ensuring the accused remained behind bars while the case proceeded through the justice system.
The court imposed the following sentences:
• Life imprisonment for murder for all four accused.
• Fifteen years’ imprisonment for each count of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
• Three years’ imprisonment for possession of ammunition.
• Two years’ imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act for Bright and Brian Ncube.
The sentences will run concurrently. All four men have also been declared unfit to possess firearms.
The prosecution was led by Advocate Sehlako in the Polokwane High Court.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the ruling, describing it as a powerful statement against violent crime and the use of illegal firearms.
“This sentence sends a strong message that criminals who use illegal firearms to terrorise and murder innocent people have no place in our society. I commend the swift actions of all the role players, as well as the outstanding investigation by the detectives,” Scheepers said.
The judgment closes a painful chapter for the Molema family, but it also serves as a reminder of the devastating toll of gun violence in South Africa’s communities. For residents of Mamaolo Village, the court’s decision offers a measure of justice and a clear signal that those who commit violent crimes will ultimately face the full might of the law.
