THREE MEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING A MAN OVER HIS CELLPHONE
30 October 2025
THREE MEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR KILLING A MAN OVER HIS CELLPHONE
Limpopo, South Africa – The Limpopo High Court sitting in Polokwane has convicted and sentenced Jan Maboka (31), Simon Mahlare (34), and Sello Ephraim Matsebedi (27), all from Mmotong village in Moletji, to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in each accused serving an effective life imprisonment. The trio had pleaded not guilty.
The court heard that on 19 January 2024, the accused were roaming the outskirts of Polokwane, intending to rob unsuspecting victims. They encountered the deceased, Edward Patience Bazil who was in the company of his friends. The accused confronted and stabbed him with a knife before robbing him of his cellphone and a packet of cigarettes. They fled the scene, leaving the deceased dead at the scene. Two days later, community members in Westenburg recovered the deceased’s cellphone from a woman who had purchased it. Following thorough police investigations, the accused were arrested.
In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Nkhetheni Munyai presented a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by Court Preparation Officer Morongwe Moifo, based on the account of the deceased’s wife. The statement detailed the psychological and emotional trauma endured by the family, who have been left struggling financially as the deceased was their breadwinner. It also emphasised the void he left behind as the unifying figure within the family. The State argued that the offence was heinous and that the accused showed no remorse for their actions. Advocate Munyai urged the court to consider the seriousness of the crime and the irreversible loss of the deceased’s right to life. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, said: “It can never be overemphasised how important human life is. We will continue to pursue such cases vigorously to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.” She further commended Advocate Munyai and Sergeant Rambuwani of the Westenburg Police Station for their dedication and teamwork, which led to the successful conviction.
Issued by:
Mashudu Malabi
Regional Spokesperson – Limpopo Division
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
074 823 3603