The management of the police in Mpumalanga welcomes the sentencing of a 31-year-old man for a series of crimes ranging from two counts of murder, three for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and sexual assault.

The sentencing took place at the Bethal Regional Court which heard that on the evening of 20 May 2015, the accused, Wonder Paulos Mabuza, left from a tavern. Along the way, he stabbed and robbed more than five people he came across, including a woman whom he attempted to rape but she managed to escape. Two of the victims succumbed to their wounds whilst the rest were treated and discharged from hospitals.

Mabuza was arrested later in Bethal for possession of dagga and a dangerous weapon. It then emerged that he was wanted for the series of crimes hence the sentencing.

On Wednesday, 06 June 2018, the court did not hesitate to sentence Mabuza to a total of 79 years imprisonment as follows: 15 years for each murder, 15 years for each robbery, two years for attempted murder and two years for sexual assault. The court has ruled that all the sentences will run concurrently with count one, the murder. However, the court has made a further ruling during sentencing that ten years of one of the robberies be added to the murder charge. Therefore, Mabuza will serve an effective 25 years in prison.

The management commended the investigating team for the sterling job done and they believe that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders who do not have respect for human life.

Source: South African Police Service