Thabo Thakampana sentenced to life for Klerksdorp murder

A 29-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, in the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp on Tuesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

Thabo Thakampana was sentenced for killing David Mahlapa Sekhola. NPA spokesperson in the North West division, Henry Mamothame, said Thakampana was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years in each of the charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for kidnapping, seven years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and three years for possession of ammunition.

“The sentence will run concurrently and was further declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.

Thakamphana was charged together with Katleho Ramuthalane, 33, for murder and kidnapping
Ramuthalane pleaded guilty to robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping, he was sentenced to 15 -years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances that offence and a further five years for kidnapping.

“The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm. The two sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The court also ordered that the one year-eleven-months he stayed in police custody while awaiting trial, be factored into his jail term,” Mamothame said.

Thakampana pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial was separated from Ramuthalane
He said on April 14 in 2019, Thakampana, Ramuthalane and a third man who was still on the run, were allegedly drinking at a tavern, in Kanana township, when they decided to go and drink in town in Klerksdorp.

“They then approached David Mahlapa Sekhola, who operated a public transport service in the area, and agreed to take them to town for R150. Sekhola was with two friends at the time, Mthakathi January Vicane and Fezile Kraai.

Source: IOL