Man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and assault GBH
The Molopo Regional Court in the North West sentenced Thapelo Modise (59) of Lorwaneng Village to life imprisonment plus six years’ imprisonment following his conviction on charges of murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The conviction and sentence stem from an incident in which the accused stabbed two victims with a knife.
North West SAPS Spokesperson Lindiwe Mabaso said one victim died because of the injuries sustained, while the other survived after being stabbed behind the shoulder.
“It was established that on 17 April 2021, both victims were seated at a woman’s residence when the accused’s stepdaughter arrived to purchase snacks. As the child was leaving the yard, one of the victims, Ezekiel Monaune, called her over and spoke to her about kittens at his residence. After the conversation ended, the second victim, later identified as the deceased and known as “Disco”, asked who the child’s parents were. Monaune responded that she was Thapelo’s child, whereupon the deceased asked whether he was referring to Thapelo Diphuka,” she said.
Mabaso said the child then left for home.
“A short while later, the accused arrived at the residence and confronted Monaune. Armed with a grass cutter, he attempted to assault him, but Monaune managed to fend off the attack using a beer crate. The accused then chased Monaune outside the yard and stabbed him behind the shoulder with a knife.
The accused subsequently returned to the yard. Shortly afterwards, the deceased, known as Disco, arrived and was fatally stabbed in the chest with the same knife used to attack Mr Monaune.
“In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Thato Maphangela presented a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Court Preparation Officer Themba Madiba on behalf of the deceased’s family. She urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence,” she said Mabaso.
She said the prosecution further submitted that the accused had shown no remorse throughout the trial and highlighted that he had three previous murder convictions, demonstrating the need to protect society from a repeat violent offender.
“The court agreed with the State’s submissions, finding that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence. The accused was accordingly sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and six years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). The sentences were ordered to run concurrently,” she said.
