SERIAL KILLER AND POLICE OFFICIAL SENTENCED TO FOUR LIFE TERMS EACH FOR VIOLENT CRIMES
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence handed down by the Pretoria High Court, in which Rassie Hlabirwa Nkune (37) from Mpumalanga, and former police official Jacob Mothibe Chego (41) , previously employed at the White River Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU), were each sentenced to two life terms for two counts of premeditated murder, two life terms for two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, 5 years each for four counts of kidnapping, 5 years each for fraud, and 5 years each for defeating the ends of justice.
In addition, Nkune was sentenced to 15 years each for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently with that of life imprisonment and declared them unfit to possess a firearm.
THE CRIMES
On 16 March 2022, Mr Mogashoa received a call from Chego informing him that his vehicle, reported stolen in 2018, had allegedly been recovered and was being held at the White River police vehicle impound.
The following day, Nkune, posing as a police officer, contacted Mr Mogashoa and arranged to collect documentation. On 19 March 2022, Mr Mogashoa, his wife, and their two minor children (aged one and eight) travelled to Benoni, where they picked up Nkune.
The Murders:
While en route to the impound, Nkune instructed Mogashoa at gunpoint to stop in an open veld in Etwatwa. He forced the couple out of the vehicle, leaving their two young children inside. Nkune forced the couple into the veld and shot both in the head. The mother was six months pregnant.
Aftermath:
Nkune returned to the vehicle, drove with the children to another area, abandoned them, and fled. The eight-year-old child took the younger sibling and walked along the N12 highway seeking help. A woman assisted them and took them to a nearby police station.
INVESTIGATION & ARREST
Following investigations, Nkune was arrested while already in custody, serving a life sentence for the murder of two women in a separate case.
On 16 April 2024, Chego and his co-accused, Elvis Press Makhubela (now deceased), handed themselves over to police at Springs police station.
COURT PROCEEDINGS
Both Nkune and Chego pleaded not guilty. However, State Prosecutor Advocate Tholoana Sekhonyana presented compelling evidence, including testimony from the eight-year-old child and Nkune’s associate, proving the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In delivering judgment, the Court found:
• State witnesses credible, reliable, and corroborated by objective evidence
• Nkune and Chego jointly planned and executed the crimes
SENTENCING
During sentencing, the accused asked the court to deviate from prescribed minimum sentences, citing minor children. Advocate Sekhonyana argued that they showed no remorse and committed a gruesome murder in front of two minor children while the mother was six months pregnant.
Victim Impact Statements:
• The minor child expressed that the incident affected his schoolwork, causing his grades to drop
• Both families indicated the incident affected them psychologically, physically, and financially
The Judge agreed with the state that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed to deviate from prescribed minimum sentences.
NPA STATEMENT
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crime, including those in positions of trust, are held accountable for their actions. This sentence sends a clear message that those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain will face the full might of the law.”
FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS
This case demonstrates that even police officials who abuse their positions will face justice. The use of DNA evidence and testimony from young witnesses underscores the importance of thorough investigation.
#NPA #Sentencing #LifeImprisonment #PretoriaHighCourt #Murder #Kidnapping #Fraud #PoliceAccountability #JusticeForVictims #Etwatwa #WhiteRiver #VaalTriangle #Sedibeng #FezileDabi SERIAL KILLER AND POLICE OFFICIAL SENTENCED TO FOUR LIFE TERMS EACH FOR VIOLENT CRIMES
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence handed down by the Pretoria High Court, in which Rassie Hlabirwa Nkune (37) from Mpumalanga, and former police official Jacob Mothibe Chego (41) , previously employed at the White River Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU), were each sentenced to two life terms for two counts of premeditated murder, two life terms for two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, 5 years each for four counts of kidnapping, 5 years each for fraud, and 5 years each for defeating the ends of justice.
In addition, Nkune was sentenced to 15 years each for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently with that of life imprisonment and declared them unfit to possess a firearm.
THE CRIMES
On 16 March 2022, Mr Mogashoa received a call from Chego informing him that his vehicle, reported stolen in 2018, had allegedly been recovered and was being held at the White River police vehicle impound.
The following day, Nkune, posing as a police officer, contacted Mr Mogashoa and arranged to collect documentation. On 19 March 2022, Mr Mogashoa, his wife, and their two minor children (aged one and eight) travelled to Benoni, where they picked up Nkune.
The Murders:
While en route to the impound, Nkune instructed Mogashoa at gunpoint to stop in an open veld in Etwatwa. He forced the couple out of the vehicle, leaving their two young children inside. Nkune forced the couple into the veld and shot both in the head. The mother was six months pregnant.
Aftermath:
Nkune returned to the vehicle, drove with the children to another area, abandoned them, and fled. The eight-year-old child took the younger sibling and walked along the N12 highway seeking help. A woman assisted them and took them to a nearby police station.
INVESTIGATION & ARREST
Following investigations, Nkune was arrested while already in custody, serving a life sentence for the murder of two women in a separate case.
On 16 April 2024, Chego and his co-accused, Elvis Press Makhubela (now deceased), handed themselves over to police at Springs police station.
COURT PROCEEDINGS
Both Nkune and Chego pleaded not guilty. However, State Prosecutor Advocate Tholoana Sekhonyana presented compelling evidence, including testimony from the eight-year-old child and Nkune’s associate, proving the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In delivering judgment, the Court found:
• State witnesses credible, reliable, and corroborated by objective evidence
• Nkune and Chego jointly planned and executed the crimes
SENTENCING
During sentencing, the accused asked the court to deviate from prescribed minimum sentences, citing minor children. Advocate Sekhonyana argued that they showed no remorse and committed a gruesome murder in front of two minor children while the mother was six months pregnant.
Victim Impact Statements:
• The minor child expressed that the incident affected his schoolwork, causing his grades to drop
• Both families indicated the incident affected them psychologically, physically, and financially
The Judge agreed with the state that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed to deviate from prescribed minimum sentences.
NPA STATEMENT
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crime, including those in positions of trust, are held accountable for their actions. This sentence sends a clear message that those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain will face the full might of the law.”
FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS
This case demonstrates that even police officials who abuse their positions will face justice. The use of DNA evidence and testimony from young witnesses underscores the importance of thorough investigation.
#NPA #Sentencing #LifeImprisonment #PretoriaHighCourt #Murder #Kidnapping #Fraud #PoliceAccountability #JusticeForVictims #Etwatwa #WhiteRiver #VaalTriangle #Sedibeng #FezileDabi
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