TWELVE LIFE IMPRISONMENT TERMS FOR MOB JUSTICE MURDERS
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed by Polokwane High Court on six accused persons from Bokgaga Serare, Tsidingo, and Ga Morongoa villages in the Mopani District. Maseabi Godfrey Senyolo (46), Thabiso Senyolo (39), Elmon Shai (32), Mmoye Freddy Senyolo (42), Isiah Melanzi (40), and Tjatji William Gafane (43) were each sentenced to two life imprisonment terms for two counts of murder, as well as five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping. The court also declared all six accused unfit to possess firearms.
On 23 August 2023, a mob of community members severely assaulted and burnt Tantane Paulus Mangena and Tshepo Conrates Malatjie, who had been accused of stealing from one of the Senyolo brothers, accused number one.
The victims were forcibly taken from their respective homes and tortured between 04h00 and 07h00 at the All-Star sports ground. Thereafter, the accused transported the victims to Mokgoloboto Mountain to evade police intervention, where the assaults continued. The victims were beaten with hands, boots, firewood, and stones. They were also forced to drink petrol before petrol was poured over their bodies and they were set alight. Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition. The offences were committed after a community meeting allegedly resolved to punish suspected thieves in this manner.
During the trial, witnesses testified that the accused, together with a group of unknown individuals, armed themselves and proceeded to the homes of the deceased, accusing one of them of stealing a television set. The group used knobkieries and other dangerous weapons to assault the deceased before loading Mangena into a vehicle and driving off in search of Malatjie. After locating him, they forced him into the same vehicle.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Lerato Mohlaka submitted that the accused had committed serious crimes against humanity and urged the court to impose life imprisonment. She described the conduct of the accused as barbaric, inhuman, and among the most brutal atrocities committed against fellow human beings. Advocate Mohlaka further argued that the accused demonstrated no remorse and offered no apology to the families of the deceased, Malatjie and Mangena. The accused pleaded for mercy through their legal representatives, and mitigation was presented from the bar.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Kganyago remarked that the deceased were killed in a barbaric manner after being kidnapped, tortured, and burnt alive. He further stated that South Africa is not a society governed by the principle of “an eye for an eye”, but one that aspires to uphold the rule of law with civility and compassion.
“These incidents form part of a broader and deeply concerning trend of mob justice and vigilantism, where communities take the law into their own hands against suspected criminals. Communities are continuously warned against this unlawful practice, as taking a life regardless of allegations of theft constitutes a serious criminal offence that attracts severe sentences,” said the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga.
