A Zimbabwean man was sentenced to life in prison last week by the South Africa Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court after he murdered a woman during a robbery. His accomplice received a 12-year jail term for his role in the crime.
Norest Singage ( 34), will also serve an additional 27 years for two counts of aggravated robbery, with all sentences running concurrently. Rodwin Maphinde, also 34, was sentenced to 12 years for his involvement.
Both men have been declared unfit to possess firearms and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court heard that on August 26, 2020, the first victim was attacked by a group of men while praying on the R80 Mabopane Highway, where he was robbed of his cellphone and bank cards.
The following month, another victim, along with his wife and children, was approached by the two men while stopped along the same highway. They were taken to a nearby mountain, where tragedy struck as Singage shot and killed the woman. The husband managed to escape and reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of Singage and Maphinde on October 24, 2020, in Marabastad, where Singage was working as a vendor.
During the trial, prosecutor Lebogang Mokome presented compelling evidence against the defendants, despite their denials of involvement. At the sentencing hearing, their legal representative requested leniency, citing family responsibilities and the time they had already spent in custody. Mokome opposed this request, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crimes and the devastating impact on the victims’ family.
Magistrate Motiang remarked on the defendants’ lack of remorse, stating, “There was no need for the deceased to lose her life as both were cooperating with the instructions they gave during the incident.” He highlighted the community’s growing frustration with violent crime and the court’s responsibility to protect citizens.
While Motiang found some grounds to deviate from the minimum sentence for the first robbery count, he determined there were no compelling circumstances to do so for the murder charge or the second robbery count.
The National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa welcomed the sentences, reiterating its commitment to holding offenders accountable and enhancing public safety in communities. (AfroGazette)
