Former senior dept official sentenced to 15 years for murder

THE FORMER head of ministry at the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and director, Darius Babuseng, has been sentenced to serve 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of murder.

He was sentenced in the Molopo Regional Court in the North West on October 10.

North West regional National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said that Babuseng was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

“He is currently in custody.”

The incident took place in 2020 when Babuseng stabbed the deceased in the neck with a beer bottle. The deceased was an EFF member.

According to the charge sheet, an argument had ensued between the two over the reckless driving of the deceased after he almost collided with Babuseng.

The senior manager of communications at the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Thandi Modibela, said that the necessary steps were taken following the guilty verdict.

“Whilst the department does not ordinarily comment publicly on employee/employer-related matters, it is in the public interest to indicate that consequence management processes were initiated when the official was found guilty in court earlier and will continue accordingly,” said Modibela.