The Pretoria High Court in Gauteng sentenced two taxi hitmen to a combined three life sentences on Friday. Isaac Gabangaye Sikhakhane (37) and Nkosinathi Radebe (31) from Atteridgeville in Tshwane were convicted and sentenced in taxi violence related murders. Sikhakhane and Hadebe were both taxi owners who operated without permits around Atteridgeville and they attacked and murdered taxi operators who wanted to oust them.
DIRECT IMPRISONMENT
Sikhakhane was sentenced to one life term and 23 years direct imprisonment for nine charges. NPA Regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjane said Sikhakhane was given life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder and murder, 8 years direct imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful possession of firearm, 10 years direct imprisonment for two counts of unlawful possession of firearm, 4 years direct imprisonment for two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition and 12 months direct imprisonment for malicious damage to property. His partner in crime Radebe was sentenced to two life terms and 10 years direct imprisonment for four charges. Mahanjane said that Radebe was given a two-life sentence for two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In addition, he was given five years each for two counts of unlawful possession of firearm.
TAXI VIOLENCE MURDERS
"On 17 January 2020 while seating with friends in Atteridgeville, Sikhakhane and Radebe had an argument with the deceased and started assaulting him. Moments after, Radebe was seen coming back from behind the shack and started shooting at the deceased and when he fell, Sikhakhane also pulled out his gun and shot the deceased," Mahanjane said. On 18 May 2021, Sikhakhane shot and attempted to kill taxi association chairman Seja Frans Moshia in a drive by shooting in Atteridgeville. During the incident, the complainant drove to the Atteridgeville Police Station for safety and was taken to hospital for treatment. Sikhakhane was later arrested on 28 June 2021 after he was stopped by the police on the N3 highway during a stop and search operation where he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition," she said. Mahanjane further said: "On 04 July 2021, Radebe shot and attempted to kill Thabang Sefole during a drive by shooting in Atteridgeville. The complainant managed to flee the scene by foot after abandoning his car at the scene. The following day, while a man who was a queue marshall was sitting in the vehicle with his friend at Phomolong taxi rank, he received a call and he was shot when he got off the vehicle, "Mahanjane said. She added that while still laying on the ground after being shot, Radebe shot him again. Radebe was arrested in 2021 at Kgosi Mampuru Prison while he was detained for another matter.
PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Mahanjane said that during the sentencing proceedings, it was revealed that the two had previous convictions and Sikhakhane committed the offences while serving a suspended sentence after he was convicted of premeditated murder. However, the two through their legal representatives asked the court to consider the time spent in custody when imposing the sentence. Statecprosecutor, advocate Abe Koalepe told the court that the two were convicted of serious crimes, especially because one of the deceased was a nephew to Sikhakhane. Koalepe further said that there were no compelling and substantial evidence available therefore he asked for the minimum sentence to be imposed. "When handing down the sentence Judge Masopa said that Sikhakhane and Radebe were not remorseful for their actions and that these crimes committed were planned. He further added that they harassed other people and forced their will in the taxi industry where such taxi violence crimes are prevalent," she said.
