Three get life for string of crimes
THREE men found guilty of a string of crimes, including the murders of two Kraaifontein policemen more than two years ago, are to spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
A fourth man, who appeared alongside the trio in the Western Cape High Court, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Sivuyile Sangovana, 23, Khangelani Thukela Twala, 22, Olwethu Sothondoshe, 25, and Sibusiso Mehlo, 25, were convicted on Monday of hijacking a Khayelitsha tavern owner, murdering two Kraaifontein police officers and attempting to rob a Somali shopkeeper.
Warrant Officer Gershwin Matthee, 39, and student Constable Cannon Cloete, 23, were shot dead while on duty in Wallacedene on May 22, 2011.
Sangovana and Sothondoshe were sentenced to two life terms for the murders and a further 45 years for theft, rob- bery with aggravated circumstances, attempted murder and other crimes.
Twala received two life sentences and a further 65 years for robbery, attempted robbery, hijacking, and other crimes.
Mehlo, who was not involved in the murders, is to serve 20 years’ imprisonment.
As Judge Elizabeth Baartman read the sentences, Matthee and Cloete’s relatives in the public gallery cheered.
“The evidence indicates cold-blooded calculations in the execution of their violent crimes. The violent nature of the offences committed justifies long-term imprisonment,” the judge said.
She said Matthee’s wife, three children and the rest of his family were struggling to deal with the trauma of his death. Cloete’s mother and twoyear-old son were also struggling financially.
“The circumstances of the offences were serious and violent. They were executed with the utmost disregard for human life.”
Judge Baartman denied the men leave to appeal.
Outside the court, a friend of Cloete’s family, Jen Nel, joined several of his relatives. All wore black T-shirts with a picture of Cloete on the front.
“We can’t explain what we are feeling now. It was satisfying when the judgment was read,” Nel said. “It’s a relief for the pain and sadness the family have gone through.”
Breaking down outside the court, Matthee’s mother, Elize, said of the sentences: “I feel good. They won’t bring back my child, but at least justice was served.”
Tavern owner Patrick Rala was held up by Sangovana, Twala and Sothondoshe at about midnight on May 22, 2011. The trio took his cellphone, R40 and his car, a Toyota Yaris.
Later, Matthee and Cloete, who were on duty in Kraaifontein, were directed by a woman to a shack in Wallacedene in which she alleged she had just been raped.
Witnesses said the Yaris pulled up just as Matthee and Cloete were knocking at the door to the shack. Twala and Sothondoshe shot at the policemen, killing them, and took their firearms.
Four days later, Twala and Mehlo robbed a store and wounded the owner, using a gun taken from the policemen.