Four Zimbabwean Nationals Sentenced for Multiple Serious Offences, Including Murder
28 MARCH 2025
Four Zimbabwean Nationals Sentenced for Multiple Serious Offences, Including Murder
The Pretoria High court sentenced four Zimbabwean nationals Cathbert Ndlovu Malatjila (22) from Winterveldt, Talent Moyo (31) from Oukasie, James Muzora (26) and Luckson Simbarashe Ruchapu (28) both from Mabopane to life imprisonment each for 2 counts of premeditated murder of a South African National Defense Force (SANDF) member Joel Karabo Sekano and a bystander Edward Karabo Dire, as well as 15 years direct imprisonment for 4 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and 5 years each for 3 counts of attempted murder. Furthermore Malatjila, Muzora and Moyo were sentenced to 25 years collectively for 2 counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and 12 months each for 2 counts of possession of ammunition. In addition, Malatjila, Ruchapu and Muzora were further sentenced to 12 months each for being illegal in the countryThe court ruled that these sentences would run concurrently with the life sentences and further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
On the evening of 16 June 2022, Sekano and his friend were standing outside his residence in Masakeng Section, Oukasie, when the four men approached them. They robbed them of their cell phones and wallets, during which Sekano’s friend was struck on the head with a firearm, rendering him unconscious. The attackers then fatally shot Sekano and stole his firearm before fleeing. After regaining consciousness, Sekano’s friend alerted his mother and transported the victim to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Later that evening, the same perpetrators targeted a group of five men sitting outside a house in Phase 2, Oukasie. They robbed them of their cellphones, money, and a television before fleeing the scene.
In the early hours of 17 June 2022, the gang targeted another residence where a family was gathered around a fire. They held the family at gunpoint, robbing them of their cash and cellphones before escaping. Two family members later set out to track the perpetrators and found Malatjila and Muzora at a nearby tavern. When confronted, the two opened fire inside the tavern, injuring four people. Dire succumbed to his injuries on the scene. Following investigations by the South African Police Service (SAPS), all four men were arrested at their respective residences and remained in custody throughout the trial.
In court, the accused pleaded not guilty, denying their involvement in the crimes. However, the prosecutor, Advocate Michael Shivuri, presented compelling evidence proving their guilt. During sentencing, the defense requested a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences, citing the accused’s young age and family responsibilities. However, advocate Shivuri asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence and argued that the four committed serious offences, they were on a robbing spree which resulted in them taking lives of two people and attempting to kill others. Furthermore, Shivuri said the four did not value or respect people’s lives and had no regard for the laws of the country. Adv Shivuri also read into the record the Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer Lebogang Lebese, Where the mother of the deceased SANDF member wrote that she has to drive past the place where her son was killed because it is directly in front of her yard as such that is a constant reminder of what happened to her, she is suffering emotionally and financially as she is left with the responsibility of taking care of the deceased child.
Judge Francis-Subbiah concurred with the State, stating that the accused showed no remorse. He emphasised that courts are entrusted with protecting communities from such heinous crimes and must impose stern and effective punishment. Therefore, he found no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a lesser sentence as there are no factors that count in their favour for lesser sentence than that which is prescribed.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence, reaffirming its commitment to justice and the protection of South African citizens.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division:
Pretoria
073 002 0000
lmahanjana@npa.gov.za