Limpopo man fatally shot his estranged wife, stepdaughter, and another man
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo said Wilfred Moruthanyane Nkadimeng had pleaded not guilty to all charges, before he was convicted.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
An estranged husband has been sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment by the High Court in Limpopo for the murder of his wife and two other people. Wilfred Moruthanyane Nkadimeng, 61, from Burgersfort, was found guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The court sentenced Nkadimeng to a total of 83 years, which will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 25-year sentence. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Limpopo spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said 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," said Malabi-Dzhangi.
She said Nkadimeng also fired at a tenant but missed.
In aggravation of sentence, deputy director of public prosecutions, advocate Lethabo Mashiane, presented the victim impact statements compiled by court preparation officer Morongwe Moifo, which highlighted the devastating effect of the brutal 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 had left the family shattered and forced them to assume the responsibility for raising Themia’s child and grandchildren.
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.
Meanwhile, the director of public prosecutions in Limpopo, advocate Ivy Thenga, has welcomed Nkadimeng's sentencing.
“It can never be overemphasised 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 said.
Thenga also commended Mashiane and the investigating officer, Sergeant Lerato Lefala of Tubatse SAPS, "for their excellent work".
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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