The Limpopo Polokwane High Court has convicted and sentenced Taxi driver Kibi Josias Leboho to life imprisonment for the murder of his ex-fiancée Tshepo Rakoma.
Leboho was arrested on 06 May 2021 after he shot and killed Tshepo instantly in the parking lot of a shopping Centre in the Polokwane CBD. He then climbed on top of a building threatening to commit suicide. However, the police negotiators convinced him otherwise and arrested him.
KIBI JOSIAS LEBOHO SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Leboho was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, three years for unlawful possession of a firearm. One year of direct imprisonment for counts of unlawful possession of ammunition.
During the trial Leboho told the court that he was in the scene to assist the mother of his children. He claims she was killed by an unknown person. In aggravation of the sentence, the state advocate Malebo Maleka has submitted that the accused did not abandon his plan to kill the deceased. Even though he had many opportunities to do so.
The offence was premeditated and deserving of a life sentence. She further said that the fact that the accused has paid dowry for the deceased does not mean she was his property.
LIMPOPO TAXI DRIVER SHOWS NO REMORSE FOR MURDER OF TSHEPO RAKOMA
The advocate concluded by saying that the accused never showed any remorse throughout the proceedings.
In sentencing, Judge Griet Muller remarked that the offence was premeditated and it is a family tragedy.
He then said that the family would never see the deceased again because of the accused. He further remarked that there are no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.
