A foreign nationals-led crime gang terrorising the Limpopo community has been thrown behind bars.
The five men appeared before the Polokwane High Court where they were each sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
The gang consists of one Mozambican national Philmon Sithole and four Zimbabwean nationals Matanda Nickson, Trymore Maparadza, Tronherel Mujeko and Obey Mutema.
Sentenced for robbery, housebreaking, murder and attempted murder
Their sentences include 15 years for first count of robbery and 10 years for housebreaking, to run concurrently. The third count of robbery, also 15 years imprisonment, will run separately.
However, for murder and attempted murder, they were sentenced to 15 years and 10 years, respectively, and the sentences would also run concurrently.
Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo police spokesperson, said the gang’s reign of terror started on April 14, 2020. They attacked Kgautswana clinic and stole security guards’ firearms before heading to the nurses’ residence to steal valuables and money.
The suspects drove around in a red bakkie at the time. They used the vehicle to carry the laptops and computers stolen from the clinic.
Robbed a clinic’s security guards, nurses and a local shop, killing owner
The bakkie was later discovered at a Burgersfort scrapyard. There, according to Ledwaba, it would have been resprayed to hide its identity.
“Continuing their rampage, they targeted a foreign national shop in Makgwareng village. There they callously shot the Pakistani shopkeeper and his assistant during the robbery,” said Ledwaba.
“Tragically, the shopkeeper lost his life. His assistant survived the ordeal and received medical treatment at a local hospital.”
Nabbed by a special task team
Following the series of violent crimes, the Leboeng crime prevention team and detectives unit launched a manhunt for the suspects. They were eventually nabbed a month later at Burgersfort, Riba Cross, Drienkop, and Mashamothane villages.
“The police recovered two unlicensed firearms and the stolen items from the clinic and the Pakistani shop. These were found in possession on the culprits,” said Ledwaba.
