The three men who were convicted for the murder of Sibonelo Hermans in November 2019, received hefty sentences in the Sterkstroom Regional Court.
Two of the three accused were sentenced to life imprisonment and the other accused was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Siyabulela Tsholoba (44) and Sakhele Palie (38), who each received a life sentence, also received five years each for defeating the ends of justice. Their
co-accused, Xoliswa Mabala (38), also received another five years for defeating
the ends of justice.
Police spokesperson, captain Namhla Mdleleni, said
Hermans had on 23 November, 2019 gone to buy cigarettes in Sterkstroom with a friend when they were accused of
theft.
“The deceased was assaulted and stabbed to death while his friend
managed to escape. After he was killed, his body was dumped near a river by the three accused,” Mdleleni said.
This
week the trio was found guilty and sentenced accordingly. Their sentences will
run concurrently.
Chris Hani District acting commissioner Brigadier Pumla
Mavuka commended the work put into the investigation.
