Limpopo Security Company Owner Sentenced To 20 Years For Murder Of Alleged Thief

A Limpopo security company owner, Nyambeni Makhipa, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Thohoyandou High Court.

Makhipa was sentenced for the brutal murder of Abraham Mulovhedzi, a man allegedly caught attempting to steal from a hardware store in Khubvi village.

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According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Stephen Thakeng, the incident occurred on February 25, 2022.

Two security guards working under Makhipa intercepted Mulovhedzi, tied him with ropes, and called their employer to the scene.

Upon arrival, Makhipa viciously assaulted the suspected thief using wooden sticks and pepper spray for over an hour.

Body Found In River Days Later

Following the assault, Makhipa instructed one of his employees to escort the injured man to Thohoyandou Police Station.

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Days later, on March 1, 2022, Mulovhedzi’s lifeless body was found floating in the Vombe River at Mahuvha village.

The police were alerted, and a murder investigation was launched.

Makhipa and the two guards were arrested shortly thereafter. The case was handed to the Provincial Investigations Unit and assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Matamela.

Charges against the two security guards were eventually withdrawn, but Makhipa was prosecuted for the killing.

Court Hands Down Heavy Sentence

After a thorough trial, Makhipa was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder, 10 years for robbery, 10 years for kidnapping, and an additional 4 years on separate charges.

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However, the court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, meaning he will serve an effective 20 years in jail.

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, welcomed the sentencing and praised the investigation team.

“This sentence sends a strong message that taking the law into your own hands has severe consequences,” she said.

Hadebe urged community members to report crimes and allow the justice system to handle suspects rather than resorting to vigilantism.

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