Alfred Moselakgomo
Alfred Moselakgomo
The Mmabatho circuit high court has sentenced a Mpumalanga man to two life terms for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The court, sitting in Hammanskraal had last week found Piet Baloyi, 45, guilty of the crimes.
Baloyi was also sentenced to three years each for possession of three unlicensed firearms and two years for being in illegal possession of ammunition.
He was sentenced to further one year in jail for being in possession of dagga.
On August 7 2004 Baloyi of Nokaneng village, near Marapyane, in KwaMhlanga, killed a man "while high on dagga".
When he was arrested he was found in possession of three unlicensed firearms, ammunition and dagga.
The court said it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that Baloyi had killed fellow villager Benjamin Makua before robbing him.
Makua was walking alone at night when he met Baloyi, who wanted to rob him of his belongings.
"But Makua refused to cooperate," police spokesman Hasting Chaane said. "An argument ensued during which Baloyi shot him in the head.
"Police conducted an investigation and in 2005 our findings led us to Baloyi and we arrested him."
Two life sentences for killer, robber
Alfred Moselakgomo
Alfred Moselakgomo
The Mmabatho circuit high court has sentenced a Mpumalanga man to two life terms for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The court, sitting in Hammanskraal had last week found Piet Baloyi, 45, guilty of the crimes.
Baloyi was also sentenced to three years each for possession of three unlicensed firearms and two years for being in illegal possession of ammunition.
He was sentenced to further one year in jail for being in possession of dagga.
On August 7 2004 Baloyi of Nokaneng village, near Marapyane, in KwaMhlanga, killed a man "while high on dagga".
When he was arrested he was found in possession of three unlicensed firearms, ammunition and dagga.
The court said it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that Baloyi had killed fellow villager Benjamin Makua before robbing him.
Makua was walking alone at night when he met Baloyi, who wanted to rob him of his belongings.
"But Makua refused to cooperate," police spokesman Hasting Chaane said. "An argument ensued during which Baloyi shot him in the head.
"Police conducted an investigation and in 2005 our findings led us to Baloyi and we arrested him."