North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has applauded the life sentences that two men accused for the murder of a Tshwane Metro Police official were given by the North West Division of the High Court seating in Ga-Rankuwa this week.
“The two life sentence that 31 year old Jabu Javas Basaya and one that his accomplice, 26 year old Lucky Edwin Baloyi received should sent a strong message to criminals that there is no place in our society for those who attack and kill law enforcement officers,” Premier Mahumapelo said.
“We commend police for the swift reaction and teamwork that resulted in the speedy arrest and successful conviction and trust that the family of the deceased official finds closure in the knowledge that justice was served,” Mahumapelo added.
According to police, the convicted pair was arrested shortly after shooting at three Tshwane Metro Police officials at a vehicle check point along Molefe Makinta Highway two years ago and robbing one of them of his service pistol.
“The officials returned fire and that led to injury of one of the accused who was admitted to hospital. A metro official who was wounded in the fire exchange was rushed to Legae Private Clinic where he later died,” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
“A joint intensive search by Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane, Hebron, and Tshwane Metro police officials led to the arrest of one of the suspects shortly after the incident,” Mokgwabone said.
Basaya was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, twenty years for armed robbery, 3 years for each of five counts of attempted murder and 6 years for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunitions.
The court also sentenced Baloyi to 25 years imprisonment for murder, 10 years for armed robbery, 6 years for each of 2 counts of attempted murder, and 3 years for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitions. Sentences will run concurrently.
The conviction of the duo follows that of the murderers of Warrant officer Othisitse Ganenang of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (the hawks) who were last week sentenced to a total of 170 years in the North West High Court.
Enquiries:
Sam Mokaila
Cell: 082 559 7384
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: smttumelo4@gmail.com
