37-YEAR-OLD MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER IN SEKHUKHUNE
POLOKWANE: The Regional Court in Sekhukhune has on Thursday, 25 July 2024
sentenced Nakaphala Doctor Maila aged 37 to 25 years imprisonment for the crimes of murder and attempted murder.
The sentencing follows the conviction of the accused for the fatal stabbing of 37-year-old man and the grievous bodily harm of a 35-year-old man during an incident that occurred on 17 August 2019 at Ga-Maila, Matsepane village in Sekhukhune policing precinct.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, the accused attacked the victims with a sharp object following an altercation during a drinking spree at the local liquor outlet.
Despite immediate medical intervention, the victim identified as Jacob Pudiyamotse Mohlala
succumbed to the injuries while the other victim survived but sustained serious injuries.
The suspect was traced and arrested shortly after the incident. The case was allocated to Detective Sergeant Letladi Kekana of SAPS Sekhukhune. Maila was out on bail until on 27 May 2024, when he was found guilty of both charges, and his bail was revoked, subsequent to a high quality of investigation displayed by the Investigating Officer leading to such a lengthy sentence.
The accused was
sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for murder and five years for attempted murder. The court ordered the sentence in count 2 to run concurrently with count 1. The accused was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the sentence. She commended the tireless efforts and thoroughness in bringing the accused to justice.