The Family of an aspiring musician says the justice system has failed them. This comes after the High Court in Polokwane, Limpopo sentenced four teenagers to 10 year, two to three years with five years suspended sentence and two adults to a fine of R20 000- or five-years prison sentence for the murder of Thoriso Themane.
Kgothatso Teffo, 18, Raofa Mahloromela Vincent Mothomela, 18, Tshiamo Miyeni, 19, and Lesetja Kabelo Ramokgopa, 20, were sentenced on Wednesday by the Limpopo high court in Polokwane and will be serving varying length of time in juvenile centres before that being moved to prison once they turn 21.
Two other teenagers, Thabang Mohubedi and Adaho Mudau were handed three years prison sentences and five years suspended sentences, for common assault. Two adults, Chuene Maleka and Alfred Mothapo were handed R20 000 fines each or a five-year prison sentence for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Themane was brutally assaulted and killed in Fauna Park in Polokwane by six teenagers and two adults in February 2019. Only four of the culprits were found guilty of murder. The assault was captured on a cellphone and went viral on social media.
Karabo Themane, the family spokesperson, said the sentences handed down are too light. “Well, first of all I feel that was a lousy judgement. I feel it hasn’t done justice to what happened to my brother. What happened to my brother was not just murder; it was brutal and evil act and to show mercy to such people to me is an insult to my family and the community. To me, this is a slap on the wrist.”