A Kuruman couple and their daughter were sentenced to life imprisonment after forcing a burglar who broken into their tavern to drink liquor laced with poison.
The Mothibistad Regional Court sentenced Lesedi Motshwarakgole (46), her husband Simon Mabogole (57) and their daughter Boitshepo Motshwarakgole (28) on 6 July to life imprisonment for murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Their accomplice, Dihelangkgotlha Hume (38), was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
He was employed as a gardener and was instructed to assist during the commission of the offences.
It is reported during the night of 29 April 2017 Charles Bonongo (29), Olebogeng Motswagole (19) and Gift Thonkonyane (30) broke into Motshwarakgole’s tavern in Dithakong village near Kuruman and stole alcohol.
The three men were tracked down by the accused and were found with the alleged stolen liquor.
Brig. Mohale Ramatseba, police spokesperson, says the men were taken to the tavern where they were forced, at gunpoint, to drink liquor laced with poison.
They managed to escape.
Motswagole and Thonkonyane managed to get help and were admitted to hospital.
However, Bonongo collapsed while they were fleeing from the accused.
His body was found on the morning of 30 April near the tavern.
The district commander of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Maj. Gen. Johan Bean, applauded the investigating officer, Sgt Obakeng Shadrack Masite, for his investigation into the case that led to the lengthy sentence.
Bean warned community members not to take law into their own hands and urged them to report every criminal activity to the police.
The provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lt. Gen. Risimati Peter Shivuri, has also welcomed life imprisonment given to the couple and their daughter.
