Limpopo court to sentence trio over 2018 petrol-bombing of mineworkers’ bus
The three were convicted over the incident in which four men and two women were burnt beyond recognition after the fiery attack while the bus was collecting Modikwa platinum mineworkers.
PRETORIA, June 30 (ANA) – Three men were set to be sentenced in the Limpopo high court on Wednesday after being convicted on six counts of murder, 47 counts of attempted murder and one of malicious damage to property for the April 2018 petrol-bombing of a mineworkers bus at Driekop village near Burgersfort.
Sipho Khumalo, 29, Philemon Makwana aged 34 and Thabo Mokgala, 28 were convicted over the incident in which four men and two women were burnt beyond recognition after the fiery attack while the bus was collecting Modikwa platinum mineworkers, Limpopo spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said in a statement.
A fourth perpetrator is already serving time in prison.
“The four accused had a meeting, and agreed to burn the bus which transports Modikwa mine workers. They proceeded to the bus station and joined the mine workers and stayed behind the occupants,” Malabi-Dzhangi said.
“Later the four got into the bus and Sipho poured petrol whilst Philemon set the bus alight. They then jumped out, leaving behind the bus engulfed in flames.”
At the beginning of the trial in September 2019, Kgaugelo Moine, aged 30, pleaded guilty to all counts and also implicated Khumalo, Makwana and Mokgala.
“(Moine) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for each count of murder and ten years imprisonment for each count of attempted murder,” said Malabi-Dzhangi. In total, Moine was sentenced to over 600 years in jail.
The murdered miners, whose remains were reportedly identified through DNA examination, were Moniccah Mabilo, aged 57, Solomon Komana (37), Simon Mahlokwane (42), Johannes Malepe (56), Ziphora Makuwa (48) and Lesotho national Pheta Ranku, aged 58.
Shortly after the gruesome murder, a R500,000 reward was offered to anyone who could help police catch the perpetrators. Operations were halted at the mine following the incident.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa
