TRIGGER-HAPPY MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR HEINOUS MURDER
Thulani Mabaso(30) has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court of South Africa in Johannesburg for his involvement in a series of violent crimes in Kagiso, including the murder of Kabelo Sebolai(33) on 7 February 2022. In addition to the life sentence for murder, Mabaso received a further 35 years for multiple charges, including attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and malicious injury to property.
The court heard how Mabaso, while out on bail for an alleged murder charge, entered a local tavern on 7 February 2022, retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, and randomly fired several shots into a crowd. Sergeant Maleba’s investigation unveiled that, one of the bullets struck and killed Sebolai, while others damaged a nearby vehicle. Witnesses attempted to assist Sebolai, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Mabaso handed himself to authorities on 27 February 2022.
During the closing arguments, Senior State Advocate Nkosinathi Zuma condemned Mabaso’s actions as utterly merciless. Adv. Zuma highlighted the recent devastating incident in Lusikisiki, where several innocent lives were tragically lost without justification, underscoring the severity of Mabaso’s crimes. Judge Mohamed Ismail refused to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, alluding to the fact that the accused demonstrated no iota of remorse and strongly condemning his reckless actions of firing random shots at innocent people. This case serves as a reminder of the urgent need for enhanced measures to combat gun violence and ensure justice for victims and their loved ones.
