20 years for killer soldier

The Court of Military Appeal has upheld a 20-year sentence for murder imposed on a South African soldier who fatally shot his girlfriend while they were deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Private Elias Mogaki shot and killed his soldier girlfriend, Private Nomathemba Ngeleka, on October 27, 2017.

Both belonged to the 5 South African Infantry Battalion, based in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, and were at the time of the incident deployed in the Congo as part of the Force Intervention Brigade.

On that fateful day, Mogaki tried to commit suicide immediately after the shooting incident and was medically stabilised before being transferred to South Africa for further medical treatment.

Upon his recovery, he was formally charged with murder. On completion of an investigation and the subsequent trial, he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison by a military judge on June 18.

In a statement on Wednesday, Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobozi said the accused was afforded an opportunity to appeal his sentencing.

“A Court of Military Appeal later confirmed and upheld the 20-year jail sentence as was imposed by the Court of a Military Judge,” read the statement.

The SA National Defence Forces (SANDF) was in the process of dishonourably discharging Mogaki, Mgobozi said. “He is currently detained at the Military Detention Barracks in Bloemfontein.

“On completion of the required administrative [separation] processes, he will be transferred and handed over to the Rustenburg Correctional Services facility where he will serve his 20-year prison sentence.

“The SANDF will not tolerate any acts of ill-discipline, criminal activities, conduct detrimental to the Military Disciplinary Code and the Code of Conduct amongst all its members, both military and civilian, regardless of position or rank level.” – ANA

A Court of Military Appeal later confirmed and upheld the 20-year jail sentence as was imposed by the Court of a Military Judge.

SANDF statement