North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed the life sentences and stiff jail sentence given to the husband of Mmabatho resident and public servant, Ketlagomang Ivy Molefe and his three accomplices in her gruesome murder as appropriate and a necessary deterrent to perpetrators of gender based violence.
“The sentences meted on Friday by the North West High Court for the March 2012 murder should sent a stern message to men not to opt for violence if love is lost in their relationships but to seek professional help in order to assist them to respectfully part ways with their partners in an amicable manner if the situation is beyond reconciliation,” stressed Premier Modise.
The Premier said that repulsion that the community of Mmabatho Unit14 had shown towards crime during the debacle leading to the arrest of Klass Molefe, Penny Tatushe, Elizabeth Mosweu and Thabo Thamaga and the support they gave the police in their investigation should serve to unite them to uproot the scourge of crime in their area.
“The unity that they and the late Ivy Molefe’s colleagues in the department of Finance have shown us in their quest for truth and justice is a lesson in love and true compassion,” added Modise.
Klaas Molefe the husband of Ivy, his concubine Elizabeth Mosweu and Thamaga were given life sentences for murder, as well as 15 years for robbery and 10 years for kidnapping whileTatushe was imprisoned for 22 years for murder, 12 for robbery and 10 for kidnapping.The sentences for each charge will run concurrently.
According to police, it appeared the relationship between the Molefes had broken down. "Instead of parting ways, the husband chose foul play he resorted to getting rid of the wife so he could keep what [money and assets] were there," said spokesperson for the North West Police Brigadier Thulane Ngubane.
Molefe's husband reported her missing after she never returned from work on March 14 2012. Police searched for her and also called on priests and traditional healers for assistance.The four were arrested in April 2012 before Thamaga made a confession and pointed out where Molefe's body had been hidden.
Police Investigations had established four murderers had taken Molefe to a bank to draw money before killing her. They had also stolen her car.
Enquiries: Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Spokesperson)
Tel: (018) 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax:(018) 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
