Newly appointed Limpopo Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, has welcomed the life imprisonment sentences handed down to four men convicted of the brutal murder of a 50-year-old man at a tavern in Mamaolo Village, outside Lebowakgomo.
The Polokwane High Court on Monday, August 3, sentenced Bongani Nkuna (34), Bright Ncube (23), Brian Ncube (23) and Tumelo Maloma (32) for the murder of Matome Molema, who was gunned down at a local tavern on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
Evidence presented in court revealed that the four accused, armed with two pistols, stormed the tavern and fatally shot Molema before fleeing the scene in a white Volkswagen Jetta.
An off-duty police officer attached to the Provincial Flying Squad, who lives near the crime scene, heard the gunshots and immediately went to investigate. After receiving information about the shooting, the officer officially booked himself on duty and pursued the suspects’ vehicle while simultaneously calling for backup.
The chase was joined by another off-duty police officer and supported by members of the Mookgophong Farm Watch. Their coordinated efforts led to the arrest of all four suspects and the recovery of two unlicensed firearms believed to have been used in the attack.
Police opened cases of murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of ammunition. The investigation was later transferred to the Provincial Investigation Unit, where Warrant Officer Mokhepo Gafane led the case.
Through detailed and meticulous investigations, Gafane successfully opposed the accused’s bail applications, paving the way for the matter to proceed to the Polokwane High Court.
The four men were convicted of murder, two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of ammunition. Bright and Brian Ncube, who are Zimbabwean nationals, were also convicted of contravening the Immigration Act.
The court sentenced all four accused to life imprisonment for murder. They each received an additional 15 years’ imprisonment for each count of possession of an unlicensed firearm and three years for possession of ammunition. Bright and Brian Ncube were each sentenced to a further two years’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
All the sentences will run concurrently, and the court also declared the four men unfit to possess firearms.
The State’s case was prosecuted by Advocate Sehlako in the Polokwane High Court.
Welcoming the sentence, Lieutenant General Scheepers praised the dedication of the police officers and investigators whose swift response ensured the successful prosecution of the case.
“This sentence sends a strong message that criminals who use illegal firearms to terrorise and murder innocent people have no place in our society. I commend the swift actions of all the role players as well as the outstanding investigation by the detectives,” said Scheepers.
