A TAXI driver's dark deeds have finally caught up with him as he has been handed a prison sentence for the murder of his ex-fiancee.
The 36-year-old Kibi Josias Leboho was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane, Limpopo, on Monday, 28 August for killing his ex-fiancee, Tshepo Rakoma (29).
Leboho’s conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 6 May 2021, when he shot and killed Tshepo.
Tshepo, a former bank employee, was killed in the parking lot of a shopping centre in the Polokwane CBD.
The accused from Seshego Zone 4 allegedly then climbed to the top of a building and attempted to end his own life.
But police negotiators convinced him otherwise and subsequently arrested him.
Leboho gained the nickname “Superman” due to his rooftop climb.
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, spokesman for Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority, stated that Leboho was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.
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“He also received three years for the unlawful possession of a firearm, and an additional one-year term of direct imprisonment for the unlawful possession of ammunition.
“As the NPA, we strongly condemn all forms of violence against women and children,” she said.
During the trial, Leboho claimed that he was present at the scene to assist Tshepo and that she was killed by an unknown person.
In aggravation of the sentence, state advocate Malebo Maleka submitted that the accused did not abandon his plan to kill his fiancee, even though he had many opportunities to do so.
Maleka stated that the offence was premeditated and deserving of a life sentence.
She further emphasized that the fact that the accused had paid dowry for the deceased did not imply ownership.
“The accused displayed no remorse throughout the proceedings,” she said.
Upon sentencing, Judge Griet Muller expressed that due to the accused, the family would never see their daughter again.
He further stated that there were no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.
Ivy Thenga, Director of Public Prosecutions advocate, commended the exemplary work done by Advocate Maleka and investigating officers Phillemon Ratsoma and Jeffrey Moloko Mabitsela of the Polokwane Police Station.
