A 25-year-old woman who killed a 59-year-old man during a robbery in Solomondale, Limpopo, has been sentenced to 18 years’ direct imprisonment by the Polokwane High Court.
Tebatso Salome Mahlakwane was sentenced after pleading guilty to murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances in terms of a plea and sentence agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said Mahlakwane received 18 years’ imprisonment for murder and 12 years for robbery. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 18 years behind bars.
Malabi said the incident occurred on July 15, 2024, when Mahlakwane and her accomplices assaulted and robbed 59-year-old Matome Joseph Mahuma at Solomondale.
Mahuma died from his injuries, and his body was discovered at his home four days later.
The perpetrators stole several of his belongings, including an FNB bank card, a Mobicel cellphone and an undisclosed amount of money.
Four co-accused still face prosecution
Following an investigation, five accused were arrested on December 18, 2024, during an operation conducted by the Provincial Tracking Team and the Provincial Investigation Unit, with assistance from Tshimollo Security and Captain Phaladi Makola.
The case against the four remaining accused — Shaolin Mashao Wilson Malatji, Stokane Flora Mabitsela, Lepai Johnny Tebogo Maboya and Cate Raesetja Maboya — has been postponed to November 2, 2026.
The postponement is to allow Legal Aid to appoint a judicare attorney.
IOL News