Limpopo police have welcomed the sentencing of two persons who were arrested and linked to a heinous farm attack that occurred in August 2020 within the Mogwadi policing precinct.
Aaron Mabena and Nicolus Tlou were among four criminals who robbed the 80-year-old farm owner, physically injured him, and repeatedly raped his wife during the horrific attack.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Manhunt Launched After British Tourist Killed In Cape Town
On Thursday, the duo was condemned by the Polokwane High Court.
“The court heard that four male suspects stormed Draaifontein Farm and found an elderly couple inside the house,” Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba narrated.
“They assaulted an 80-year-old farm owner until he became unconscious and later two suspects raped the farmer’s 65-year-old wife.”
Following the ordeal, the attackers stole a hunting rifle and a pistol from the farm before fleeing in the farmer’s Nissan Navara bakkie.
“Police were alerted about the incident and immediately commenced with a manhunt for the suspects until the suspects were spotted driving along the Westenburg Traffic Circle outside Polokwane,” said Ledwaba.
“Police attempted to stop the motor vehicle but the suspects started firing shots and the police retaliated resulting in one suspect being fatally wounded and his accomplice was apprehended after the shootout.”
The case was assigned to detectives from the Mogwadi SA Police Service, Captain Koena Manamela and Sergeant Charles Lamola.
Upon their arrest, the detectives collaborated with the prosecution to ensure that the three were not given bail until their sentencing.
Mabena, a 22-year-old accused man, was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in jail for house robbery, attempted murder, and firearm theft.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: SANTACO Calls Off Cape Town Taxi Strike With ‘Immediate Effect’
Nicolus Tlou, 33, his accomplice, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for rape, house robbery, attempted murder, and firearm theft.
Early police investigations found that the deceased suspect, together with Tlou, raped the farm owner’s wife.
Ledwaba stated that the third accused man, Christopher Mokgomutsi, 34, was expected to be sentenced by the Polokwane High Court on Thursday next week.
Mokgomutsi is accused of house robbery, attempted murder, and guns theft.
