32-year-old Sandile Sibekezelelo Mbatha was convicted by the Gauteng High Court Division of the murders of Katleho Letseli and Tshidiso Ramatlo, as well as attempted murder, kidnapping and firearms-related offenses in Diepkloof, Soweto.
Mbatha was sentenced to four life terms for two murders and two attempted murders. He was also sentenced to three years in prison on each count of pointing a gun and five years in prison on each count of kidnapping.
The charges stem from a brutal incident that took place on 20 and 21 January 2023 near a pub in Diepkloof. Evidence before the court revealed that Mbatha and his companions accused the victims of stealing the lights of his car. The four victims were taken by force at gunpoint and taken to different places where they were beaten repeatedly with fists, bottles and sharp objects. Katleho Letseli and Tshidiso Ramatlo died from their injuries.
The two surviving victims were also severely beaten and threatened with death during the ordeal. One of the victims who survived identified the accused by the name “Mbatha” and also gave the registration number of the car that was used during the crime. The police tracked the vehicle to the defendant’s residence and arrested him at the primary school where he worked as a teacher.
During the trial, both the deceased identified Mbatha as the perpetrator. Their testimony was confirmed by the investigating officer, Sergeant Prince Mbonambi, and the testimony presented before the court.
The State Attorney, Monde Mbaqa, criticized the actions of the defendants who kidnapped the victims at gunpoint, brutally beat them and accused them of stealing car lights, which shows extreme violence and disregard for human life.
Advocate Mbaqa went on to say that these crimes were planned, carried out with the same intention, and require severe punishment due to their brutality and seriousness.
The court also heard that Mbatha forced the victims into his car at gunpoint before driving them to different places where the attacks continued. Another victim revealed that Mbatha has been threatening them that he will kill them and cut their throats.