An Upington man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder following a road rage incident that left two dead and others injured.
Image: Morgan Morgan / DALL-E / DFA
As the country reels in the wake of a fatal Johannesburg road rage incident, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed life sentences handed down to an Upington, Northern Cape, man following a tragic and senseless incident arising from a road collision.
The NPA confirmed that John Ivan Francious Mouton, 50, a resident of Upington, will serve his sentence after being convicted by the High Court sitting in Upington on two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder.
NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane confirmed Mouton was sentenced recently for the double murder and multiple attempted murders, which stemmed from events that unfolded in the early hours of December 17, 2022.
Senokoatsane said Mouton was involved in a vehicle collision with Joshua Rock.
“Following the collision, he (Mouton) retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and threatened Rock. During this confrontation, Shadrack Dube, a friend of Rock, arrived at the scene and attempted to intervene and defuse the situation. Despite these efforts, the accused discharged his firearm twice. Rock subsequently left the scene, while Dube remained behind.
“Shortly thereafter, the owner of the vehicle driven by Rock, Boiphelo Khumalo, arrived after being informed of the accident. He was accompanied by several individuals, including an off-duty police officer, Ranchia Nokayi. Nokayi approached the accused to calm him down and contacted the police for assistance. While she was still on the call, the accused began shooting indiscriminately. Both Dube and Khumalo sustained fatal gunshot wounds. The accused then fired at four other individuals who had arrived at the scene, including Nokayi. Fortunately, none of them was injured,” said Senokoatsane.
During the trial, Mouton claimed that he acted in self-defence, alleging that Dube was armed and that Khumalo posed a threat.
State Advocate Mary-Ann Engelbrecht successfully argued that Mouton’s actions were unjustified and that he had deliberately targeted unarmed individuals.
The court rejected Mouton’s version, finding that he had the direct intention to kill Dube and Khumalo and that his actions were premeditated.
Victim impact statements presented to the court detailed the profound psychological trauma and emotional suffering endured by the families of the deceased, as well as the victims who survived the shooting.
The court imposed the following sentences: life imprisonment for the murder of Dube; life imprisonment for the murder of Khumalo; and 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the four counts of attempted murder.
All sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Senokoatsane said: “The families expressed a measure of relief and welcomed the sentences, noting the lasting impact of the accused’s actions on their lives.
“The NPA reiterates the fundamental importance of safeguarding the right to life, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The loss of life in this matter underscores the devastating consequences when individuals choose violence over lawful conduct. The justice system remains committed to ensuring accountability for those who violate this most basic of rights.
“Furthermore, the NPA emphasises the critical responsibility that accompanies firearm ownership. Individuals entrusted with firearms are expected to exercise restraint, discipline, and sound judgment always. Road rage and acts of retaliation have no place in a lawful society.”
Meanwhile, the NPA this week decided not to proceed with the prosecution of the 58-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the Emmarentia shooting on Barry Hertzog Avenue following a minor fender-bender that escalated into a physical altercation.
The NPA decided not to prosecute pending further investigations and an evidence review.
Cape Times