Four illegal miners were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in the Regional Court in Klerksdorp in North West. The men attacked and killed Joseph Lebone Maputla (44) in August 2018 at his house in Khuma village outside Stilfontein.

THE ATTACK 

According to evidence heard before the court, Maputla and his family were attacked at their house in the early hours of 23 August 2018. North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said Maputla tried to flee, but the zama zamas assaulted him and he sustained multiple injuries on his head. "His wife was also assaulted and their house was ransacked. On arrival at the scene, police found Maputla unconscious in the yard of a neighbour and he was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed due to the injuries sustained,' said Myburgh. She added that the motive of the attack was for a rival group of illegal miners to secure a bigger mining territory.

SENTENCE WELCOMED

Investigations by Warrant Officer Etienne Fourie of Khuma Detectives, lead to the arrest of five suspects. Four of the accused received life imprisonment while the fifth accused was handed down a five-year sentence for malicious damage to property. Lebitso Thapelo Shea (35) will serve life behind bars for murder, 5 years for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and a further 5 years for malicious damage to property. Matla Shea (45), Peete Shea (30), and Ramatlad Mabae Phooko (41) will serve life in prison for murder and 5 years imprisonment for malicious damage to property, the sentences will run concurrently. Lubabalo Godfrey Sihluku (35) was handed down a 5 years prison sentence for malicious damage to property. Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the life terms handed down to the illegal miners. They further said that these sentences will definitely send a clear message that crime, will not be tolerated.