The Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court sentenced Mpho Makatise (39), to ten years for attempted murder, ten years for theft and five years for attempting to evade justice. The court ordered the sentence to run concurrently, effectively granting him fifteen years of direct imprisonment. He pleaded not guilty to all charges levelled against him. His conviction emanates from an incident that occurred on 11 May 2021, at the Impala mine, whereat Makatise and six of his accomplices went to the Impala Platinum mine to steal copper cables.
They were then spotted by security personnel at the mine, to which one security guard was shot five times by the suspects. He was later rushed to a nearby hospital to receive media attention. Reports reveal that he spent six months in hospital and he has not fully recovered as he continues to get treatment for the gun wounds he sustained. Six of the suspects are yet to be arrested, as they managed to escape from the crime scene.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Zola Mphayipheli, urged the court not to be lenient to the accused as he lacked remorse. He further argued that copper cable theft is rife and it is one of the offences that is crippling the economy of the country. Magistrate Mamabolo, agreed with the state as she imposed fifteen-year direct imprisonment on the accused.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari together with the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded all role played in ensuring that the perpetrator is brought to book.
Issued by NPA
