BOTHASHOEK
The Limpopo Division of the High Court has sentenced Wilfred Moruthanyane Nkadimeng (61) from Bothashoek in Burgersfort to 83 years of imprisonment after being convicted of three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective 25 years of imprisonment. Nkadimeng was further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
Nkadimeng had pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, evidence presented by the state revealed that on 26 September 2022, in Bothashoek, he fatally shot his estranged wife, Themia Clara Morema, following an argument. He then shot and killed Tlou Solomon Molokomme, who had arrived at the scene, and later his stepdaughter Nomasonto Morema. He also fired at a tenant but missed.
In aggravation of sentence, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Lethabo Mashiane led Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by court preparation officer Morongwe Moifo, which highlighted the devastating effect of the murders.
The court heard how Themia was the pillar of her family, described as the glue that held them together. The tragic deaths of both mother and daughter left the family shattered and forced them to assume responsibility for raising Themia’s child and grandchildren. Adv. Mashiane argued that the offences were premeditated, committed within the context of domestic violence, and that Nkadimeng’s refusal to acknowledge the harm he caused further justified a severe sentence.
Welcoming the outcome, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Adv. Ivy Thenga said, “It can never be overemphasized how important human life is, and therefore we will be vigorous in our pursuit of these cases to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers.” She also commended Adv. Mashiane and Sergeant Lerato Lefala of Tubatse SAPS for their excellent work in securing the conviction and sentence.