MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR PREMEDITATED MURDER

07 July 2025

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR PREMEDITATED MURDER

Molopo, North West – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Molopo Regional Court to Mpho Ditaba (48) from Dithakong Village near Mahikeng. Ditaba was convicted of the premeditated murder of Motsamai Bosman (44).

The conviction relates to an incident that occurred on 09 October 2022. Earlier that day, Ditaba and Bosman were involved in a physical altercation and later returned to their respective homes. That evening, Bosman’s mother asked him to accompany her and his niece to a nearby shop. On their way, they encountered Ditaba, who was armed with a knife and accompanied by another individual wielding an axe.

Sensing danger, Bosman’s mother instructed him to enter the yard of a nearby house to seek shelter. As Bosman attempted to do so, Ditaba followed him into the yard. While Bosman’s back was turned, Ditaba approached and stabbed him fatally. He then fled the scene. He was later arrested and released on bail but was remanded in custody following his conviction last month.

Ditaba pleaded not guilty and chose to remain silent, forcing the state to prove its case. In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Thatho Maphangela submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) from the deceased’s mother. The statement, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thembinkosi Madiba, detailed the emotional and psychological trauma she endured, having witnessed her son’s brutal killing.

Maphangela argued that Ditaba’s refusal to accept responsibility showed a lack of remorse and that the court should impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. In delivering his judgment, Magistrate Ndade Maphango concurred, stating that the accused displayed no remorse and accordingly sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Welcoming the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended both the investigative and prosecutorial teams, stating: “This sentence sends a strong message to would-be offenders that justice will prevail, and those who commit such crimes will face the full might of the law.”

Issued by:

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