Lawyers of convicted murderer Ntuthuko Shoba have argued for a reduced sentence like the one which was imposed on the hitman who later became state witness in the murder of Tshegofatso Pule.
Shoba was found guilty of orchestrating the murder of eight-months pregnant girlfriend Tshegofatso Pule, who was found hanging from a tree in Durban Deep, Roodepoort. The man who carried out the killing, Muzikayise Malephane, was handed a reduced sentence when he became a state witness and confessed that he killed Pule under the instruction of Shoba.
Acting Judge John Wlison told the court courtroom in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg that he needed enough time to prepare the appropriate sentence for Shoba.
Advocate Norman Makhubela pointed out that since the two men acted together in the murder of Pule, they should be given the same sentence. “The court, when deciding an appropriate sentence, will be guided by the pre-sentencing report we have submitted. I plead to the court to deviate from sentencing Shoba to life imprisonment,” said Makhubela.
Wilson asked Makhubela what facts are available to argue for the minimum sentence rather than applying the maximum sentence.
“It is expected that the court should strike a balance between the offender, offence and the victim. There are expectations from the public that can be met without being harsh. The court should consider his personal circumstances. The accused took the stand and lamented that there had been an uncalled-for loss of life.
“Shobe is not ignorant that the offence has a negative, not only to him, the family of the victim, but to her friends and relatives,” Makhubela said.
But the state prosecutor Faghre Mohammed gave reasons why the two should be treated differently. “There was remorse by Mr Malephane to such an extent he wanted to give the family closure and Mr Shoba did not do that.”
Source: News24, Eyewitness News, image from Twitter