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Ga-Phasha Seattle
A 52-year-old lawyer has been sentenced to four life terms for killing his children. Senyatsi Lucas Phasha was convicted on all four counts by the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane. He was arrested on February 17, 2020, the same day he brutally killed his four children, Katlego, 9, Joyce, 7, Tshepo, 5, and Adel, 2. The bodies of the four children were found in two separate locations at Ga-Phasha Seattle village outside Burgersfort. Three of the children were found hacked to death with an axe while the fourth (the youngest) had her head bludgeoned against a huge rock. Phasha was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the murders.
Letsitele
A 13-year-old girl was raped and brutally killed while another elderly woman was attacked at Joppie village in the Letsitele area in an incident described as gender based violence and femicide. Police said a 58-year-old man allegedly went to look for his wife at her parents’ home in the area after the couple reportedly experienced marital problems. Spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said upon arrival the man found his mother-in-law who allegedly informed him that her daughter was not home. The man reportedly became furious and hacked the 71-year-old woman with a sharp object throughout her body. Mojapelo said the deranged man then went back home where he entered his neighbour’s house and raped a 13-year-old girl before attacking her with the same weapon he used to attack the elderly woman earlier. Emergency personnel were summoned and both victims were rushed to hospital. Sadly, the girl was certified dead on arrival at the hospital, he said. The young girl was identified as Them and Mohati, 13, who lived in the village. The man was later found hanging from the rooftop inside the same neighbour’s house. Cases of murder, rape, attempted murder and inquest have been opened for investigations.
Tshilwavhusiku
Fifteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged burning of houses at Ravele village in Tshilwavhusiku outside Louis Trichardt. The incident happened on Tuesday night when five houses were torched by unknown people, allegedly after complaining about the murder cases that were previously committed in the area. Those arrested were aged between 18 and 41 and would appear in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charge of arson. More arrests are possible as investigations are continuing. Anyone with information that can lead to further arrests of those responsible is requested to contact the station commander of Tshilwavhusiku police, Lieutenant-Colonel Maphefo Machaba on 082-461-7163 or the Crime Stop number 08600-10111.
Ga-Ramokgopa
Aubrey Manaka, the Limpopo man who was arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Capricorn TVET College student Precious Ramabulana, has pleaded guilty to the rape of the victim. Manaka has also pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and housebreaking.
His confession statement was presented in the Limpopo High Court on Wednesday, where his trial is underway. Manaka confessed that he noticed Ramabulana a day before he stabbed her with a knife inside her off-campus room in Ga-Ramokgopa village. At the time Manaka had visited his aunt at the nearby Mokomene village. In his statement Manaka also claimed that he had initially planned to romantically propose to Ramabulana. The victim’s aunt, Mavis Silothimela, said while they welcomed the outcomes, they were still heartbroken.
