POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS' DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER 

23 SEPTEMBER 2025 

POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS' DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER 

Limpopo, South Africa - The Limpopo High Court sitting at Polokwane has convicted and sentenced a police officer attached to Highway Patrol Unit Avhahumi Adolphus Netshikweta (41) from Melo Park in Polokwane, to 15 years direct imprisonment for murder. The accused pleaded not guilty, and the court heard that on 20 September 2017, the accused was on duty with his colleagues when they received a false tip-off about the suspect who was delivering drugs in the Lebowakgomo area in a VW Polo. 

The police officers chased after his car, and the deceased, Mabiletja Hlompho, stopped at the robots, unaware that they were chasing after him. He was then instructed to switch off his engine, and while he was doing as requested, the accused then shot him dead. Upon searching the deceased’s car, they found drugs, money, and a toy gun; however, the state proved that the said drugs and toy gun found in the deceased’s car were planted by the accused to justify the killing of the deceased. After thorough investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), a case of murder was opened against accused (Netshikweta).

In aggravation of sentence, state advocate Andisa Vavilova Mudau submitted that the conviction of murder attracts a mandatory minimum sentence. The accused was the aggressor on the day of the incident, and the deceased did not do anything that warranted his life to be taken away in such a gruesome manner. The state further submitted that the accused has two pending cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and, as such, he has a propensity for violence. The state concluded by submitting that the accused is a law enforcement officer and that he brought the criminal justice system into disrepute, and his actions were in violation of the South African constitution, which he took an oath to protect and to serve. 

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence imposed. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga said that "it can never be overemphasised how important human life is, and therefore we will be vigorous in our pursuit of these cases to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers.” She further commended the good work done by advocate Mudau and other stakeholders involved in securing the conviction. Ends 

Issued by: 

Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi 

NPA Regional Spokesperson 

Limpopo Division

Email: mmalabi@npa.gov.za 

Cell no: 074 823 3608