The Moretele magistrate’s court in North West has sentenced 23-year-old murderer Isaac Makinta to 15 years in jail.
Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for National Prosecuting Authority in the province, said Makinta was sentenced on Thursday in connection with an incident that took place on January 30 2021 at Suurman, where Makinta and the victim were street vendors.
Mamothame said: “Evidence presented in court revealed that an argument ensued between the two over money, and the accused took out a knife and stabbed 19-year-old Thato Simango.
“[Simango] was declared dead on the scene and the matter was reported to the police, who arrested Makinta the next day. The court denied him bail, and he also pleaded guilty to the offence.”
State prosecutor Patricia Matlala urged the court not to deviate from imposing a minimum sentence, saying courts are inundated with cases of this nature.
Magistrate Gilbert Sono agreed with the state and imposed 15 years of direct imprisonment.
Sono remarked on the responsibility the courts have in protecting members of society against such violent acts, which often lead to loss of life.
The director of public prosecutions in North West and provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant Sello Kwena, lauded Matlala and the SA Police Service sergeants and detectives for a collaboration that brought about the successful conviction.
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