Limpopo: Two security guards, reportedly posted at a hardware business premises at Khubvi village, caught a male in the act of attempted theft on 25 February 2022 at 19:00.
According to South African Police Service, the alleged suspect’s hands and feet were tied up with rope, and the employer was subsequently summoned to the business premises. Upon the arrival of the security company owner, Mr. Nyambeni Makhipa, aged 43, the alleged suspect was assaulted with a wooden object and pepper spray. After one hour of assaulting the alleged suspect, Mr. Makhipa ordered one of his employees to accompany him to Thohoyandou police station to hand him over.
On 01 March 2022, the dead body of Abraham Mulovhedzi was discovered floating in Vombe River at Mahuvha village. The police were informed about the incident, and a case of murder was registered. Mr. Makhipa and his two employees were arrested, and the case was taken over by the Provincial Investigations Unit assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Matamela.
Charges were withdrawn against the two security guards. Thohoyandou High Court sentenced the accused, Nyambeni Makhipa, as follows: Count one for murder resulted in 20 years’ imprisonment; count two for robbery led to 10 years’ imprisonment; count three for kidnapping resulted in 10 years’ imprisonment, and count four for defeating the ends of justice led to five years’ imprisonment.
“The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the sentencing and commended the thorough investigation conducted, which led to the harsh sentence meted out against this security company owner. This will send a clear-cut message that never take the law into your own hands, but hand over suspects to the police,” says Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.