The five life sentences that two Mabazo cousins received for the coldblooded murders of the Khoza families should serve to strengthen the indomitable spirit and determination of communities not to yield to criminals but to support and work with police to intensify the war against crime, North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono said on Sunday.
Mzwandile Mabazo, 34, and Sibongile Mabazo, 27, were sentenced last Wednesday for the horrendous crime they committed on Christmas eve in 2009.
In welcoming the sentences meted on the pair, MEC Mohono said that justice was served and thanked the Lethabong community for believing in the police and for coming forth with crucial information that led to their arrest.
Mohono says that though the community was at the time angered by the horrendous crime committed by the coldblooded murderers who ignored pleas for mercy from the five victims whose valuable and innocent lives they took without flinching, the leadership collective in the area channeled the anger of the community towards finding the ruthless killers.
She added that government is unwavering in its determination to win the war against murderers and rapists that threaten communities.
“While our courageous men and women in blue fear no sacrifices, they need the support of communities to create safe and more secure communities,” she stressed.
Five suspects were initially arrested a day after the bodies of businesswoman Mariam Khoza, 45, her two children Karabo,18, and Tsaona,16 ,her nephewNadir Khoza,14and her brother-in-law Daniel Karshia,45 ,were discovered by a relative at her home on Christmas day of the same year.
Karshia had been shot in the right ear, while the other four were strangled.
Three men who were also arrested for the heinous crime had since been acquitted due to a lack of evidence.
Police recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the murder, jewellery, clothes, cash and other valuable household appliances apparently stolen from Khoza’s house from the cousins.
Khoza’s Nissan Navara bakkie was found abandoned in Brits, 50 kms from Lethabong.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0140
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 0328
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
