The man who murdered Sello Morobe and cut off his head has officially apologised to the family.
He transported the body with a wheelbarrow to Masimong Village QwaQwa and expressed his remorse in the Free State High Court in Harrismith on Wednesday, 12 March.
Thabiso Mosola, the confessed killer, pleaded guilty to charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
He requested to take the stand to recount the events surrounding the victim.
During his testimony, he faced intensive questioning by State Senior Prosecutor Advocate Victor Choane.
Advocate Choane interrogated Thabiso on his motives for killing Sello in such a heinous manner.
Questions included his reasons for decapitating Sello and the violent act of burning his body.
In his response, Thabiso said: “The deceased was heavily drunk. I saw an opportunity to kill him. I stabbed him several times with a sharp knife. When he fell, I sat on top of him and cut off his head.”
“I transported his body with a wheelbarrow alongside his head to the river. I, therefore, burnt the body and threw the head in the flooded Namahadi river far away from his headless body.”
Thabiso submitted to the court that the Sello had been abusing him for a long time.
“He used to take my money, and I was scared of him. He was always threatening to kill me if I open a case. I was overwhelmed with anger. I apologise to the family and public.”
Legal defense appeals for leniency
Thabiso’s legal aid lawyer appealed to the court to have mercy on the killer as he voluntarily confessed and apologised.
“The accused expressed remorse for his actions and sought forgiveness from the victim’s family and the public.”
“He demonstrated cooperation with the investigating officer throughout the process. Considering his youthful age and potential for rehabilitation, we recommend a minimum sentence of 20 to 25 years in consideration to the seriousness of the crime he committed. He’s a first-time offender. He was too young when he committed the crime,” said the legal aid lawyer.
State prosecutor disputed legal aid submissions that Thabiso was young when he committed that crime.
“Accused didn’t show a sincerest remorse. He must explain why he killed Sello in such a horrible manner. He doesn’t appear as a young person who didn’t know what he was doing. Sello’s murder was premeditated,” said the prosecutor.
Thabiso claimed that he was afraid and ashamed to plead guilty at the beginning of the case.
“The intention to burn his body was to make him to be unidentifiable. Hence, I threw his head under the bridge in the flooded river.
“I was wondering what his family would say to me. We had a serious fight with the deceased. I was unable to move around. I was scared of him. I was angry and decided to burn his body because of what he had done to me,” said the suspect.
Judge delivers 30-year sentence
The High Court judge, Joseph Mhlambi, emphasised the seriousness of the offence and the interest of the public.
“The accused said he took a decision to kill the deceased. He took a conscious decision to kill the deceased. The deceased was intoxicated. He took the wheelbarrow to transport his body and subsequently burnt it.”
“His words don’t emphasise immaturity. He was 18 years old during the crime. He’s a first-time offender, and he has been incarcerated for 2 years. He committed a heinous crime. He stabbed the deceased and cut off his head.
“He killed the deceased because of their differences of the past. We also considered the deceased’s uncle’s submissions when he said his nephew was killed like a dog.”
“He called for life imprisonment. This was a premeditated murder. Therefore, this court hands down 30 years imprisonment against the accused,” said Judge Mhlambi delivering his judgment.
Sello’s sister, Matshidiso Morobe, collapsed when the accused explained how he killed her young brother.
Family spokeswoman Sinah Lebeko told the Daily Sun that the family vehemently rejects the apology and describes the killer as a hypocrite.
“We were terrified when he explained what happened to our son. This was the first time we heard about it. We don’t welcome the judgement. However, we feel a sigh of relief,” she said.
Sello’s uncle, Samuel Lebeko, stated that his nephew was killed like a dog.
