By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE-Thohoyandou High Court has sentenced Tsireledzo Makhadi (35) from Ha-Magidi Sibasa to life imprisonment plus an additional 232 years for a string of heinous crimes. The court ordered that the 232 years of imprisonment will run concurrently with the life sentence.
Makhadi’s crimes include gang rape, attempted rape, kidnapping, house robbery, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, among others.
During the trial, the state presented witnesses who testified that between July 2015 and August 2016, Makhadi and his accomplice, Khumbelo Buku Tshisudzungwane, terrorized communities in Makwarela, Ha-Magidi Sibasa, and Thohoyandou Block G.
The victims were subjected to horrific ordeals, including being threatened with a crowbar and pangas while being robbed of valuable items such as motor vehicles, bags, money, and cellphones. In one incident, a victim was raped multiple times and left stranded in an unfamiliar area.
State Advocate Nnyambeni Nekhambele argued that Makhadi and his accomplice acted with a common purpose to terrorize the communities, and that Makhadi should be permanently removed from society. The court agreed, finding no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentence, with Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Ivy Thenga expressing hope that the ruling will serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Adv. Thenga also commended Advocate Nekhambele and all stakeholders involved in achieving the outcome.
