The High Court in Pretoria has sentenced 53-year-old Fanyana Khoza from Katlehong to life imprisonment for the murder of his accomplice, Linda Tshabalala, who was fatally shot during an attempted car hijacking.
Furthermore, the court has imposed a 10-year prison sentence on Khoza, a Mozambican national, for attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, along with two years for being unlawfully present in the country, and 12 months for possession of stolen property.
All sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence, as decreed by the court.
During the trial, it was revealed that on 14 January 2021, the complainant left his job at KitKat Cash & Carry in Pretoria West.
While traveling on the R101 Old Johannesburg Road, Khoza and three accomplices attempted to steal his vehicle.
In a strange twist, one of the armed robbers, Linda Tshabalala, was accidentally shot dead by his own partners in crime.
Frightened, the other robbers fled the scene, abandoning one of their getaway vehicles.
A bystander who witnessed the shooting swiftly notified the police.
The officers found a cellphone in the abandoned vehicle, which ultimately led to Khoza’s arrest at his home on 9 July 2021.
At the time of his arrest, Khoza was in possession of a stolen vehicle.
In court, Khoza entered a plea of not guilty, denying all charges against him.
However, Advocate Ambrose Masekoameng presented compelling evidence from the investigating officer and the complainant, resulting in a conviction.
During sentencing, Khoza’s attorney requested leniency, emphasizing his parental responsibilities for three children.
Advocate Masekoameng opposed the request for leniency, arguing that Khoza showed no remorse for his actions and was not a first-time offender.
Khoza has a history of convictions, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, drug possession, and hijacking.
Moreover, after being granted parole twice, he continued to commit similar crimes for which he had been previously convicted.
Advocate Masekoameng further asserted that Khoza was incapable of rehabilitation outside of prison and posed an ongoing threat to society.
He urged the court to impose the mandatory minimum sentence without deviation.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Papi Mosopa concurred with the State, emphasizing that Khoza had made crime his profession and displayed a lack of remorse.
The Judge remarked that there were no substantial and compelling reasons to deviate from a life sentence and expressed concern over Khoza’s repeated offenses following parole releases.
“This sentence should serve as a strong deterrent to potential criminals,” said Judge Mosopa.
“The courts will show no leniency towards individuals who endanger lives and compromise public safety repeatedly.”
The NPA applauds the sentence as a robust affirmation of justice and a clear signal that the criminal justice system will respond decisively against repeat offenders, especially those who misuse parole to continue perpetrating violent crimes.
