North West: North West Provincial Commissioner welcomes harsh murder and attempt…

North West: North West Provincial Commissioner welcomes harsh murder and attempted murder sentences #Sentencing

POTCHEFSTROOM – The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane welcomed hefty jail terms handed down this week by the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp to murder and attempted murder accused.

On Wednesday, 16 October 2019, Diphaphang Julliume Kgokong (45) was sentenced to life for murder and additional six months imprisonment for common assault while a 26-year-old Molatlhiwa 'Scratch' Tlhabakwane got 10 years for attempted murder.

The sentences emanated from two incidents that occurred in July 2017 in Wolmaransstad. In the first incident, Kgokong stabbed Tebogo Maraba and Thabiso Moletsane, both aged 21 with a panga on Sunday, 30 July 2017. It was reported then that local tavern owners were attending a social gathering when a fight ensued between two rival gangs; Ghetto Ruff and SVK. Kgokong, who was one of the organisers of the gathering, in the process of separating members of the gangs, hacked the victims with a panga. They were both certified dead on the scene. However, Kgokong was found not guilty for the murder of Thabiso Moletsane due to insufficient evidence. The accused has been in custody since his arrest.

In another incident at the same place, Molatlhiwa Tlhabakwane stabbed Abel Leshomo, then aged 17 with a panga. Due to severe injuries the victim sustained during the assault, he is currently disabled and using a wheel chair.

Upon sentencing the duo, the court declared them unfit to possess firearms in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

The Provincial Commissioner lauded the Investigating Officer and all other role players who worked together to ensure that the accused get hefty sentences. She said that the sentences will serve as an indication that those who do the crime will do the time in jail.

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