MEN SENTENCED TO LENGTHY IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER AND KIDNAPPING

04 July 2025

MEN SENTENCED TO LENGTHY IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER AND KIDNAPPING

Mahikeng, North West – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the lengthy sentences handed down to four men by the North West High Court. The accused — Simon Legadimani Mathibe (44), Tebogo Lawrence More (47), Karabile Mphokeng (38), and Thabo Maboa (43), were found guilty on multiple charges, including murder and kidnapping.

The convictions stem from a tragic incident on 03 June 2014 in Rabusula village near Hammanskraal. Investigations revealed that a robbery had taken place at Mphokeng’s home, during which intruders threatened his family and stole belongings. The court heard that, following this incident, Mphokeng and his co-accused set out to find the suspected robbers.

The victims were later accosted by the accused and subjected to a brutal assault. They were then taken to a nearby dumping site, where their bodies were burned beyond recognition.

On 04 June 2014, the charred remains of Muzi Mashazi, Peter Mohajane, and Gatsha Majola were discovered at the site. A murder case was subsequently opened. While the accused were initially arrested in August 2014, the charges were later withdrawn due to incomplete investigations. The matter was reinstated in 2020 and transferred to the North West High Court in 2021. The accused were convicted in April 2025 and remained in custody following their conviction. All four pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Although there was no direct evidence linking the accused to the act, the State successfully argued for the application of inferential reasoning, leading the court to find that there was no other plausible explanation for the crime than the involvement of the accused.

Senior State Advocate Benny Kalakgosi argued for harsher sentences, citing the irreversible loss of life and the need for justice. The presiding judge noted the lack of remorse displayed by the accused and their continued denial of the crime. Although life sentences are prescribed for murder, the court opted to deviate from the minimum sentence provisions.

The sentences imposed are as follows:

Simon Legadimani Mathibe, Tebogo Lawrence More, and Karabile Mphokeng were each sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for three counts of murder and 5 years’ imprisonment for four counts of kidnapping.
The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 18 years of direct imprisonment for each.

Thabo Maboa was sentenced to: 5 years’ imprisonment for four counts of kidnapping. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 5 years of direct imprisonment.

All four accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Welcoming the verdict, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and the prosecution team. “The NPA stands firm in ensuring that justice is served. Acts of violence and vigilantism have no place in our society,” she said. Dr Makhari urged communities to report crimes to law enforcement and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. “Vigilantism undermines the authority of the state, and this sentence sends a strong message that those who take justice into their own hands will face the full might of the law,” she concluded.

Issued by:

Sivenathi Gunya
Communications Officer – North West Division
National Prosecuting Authority
Email: sgunya@npa.gov.za
Cell: 078 172 9367