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THREE men have been sentenced for the murder of Warrant Officer Gaonathebe Diphephenyane, a respected member of Kimberley’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) unit, following a hijacking in the North West nearly two years ago.
The Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court handed down sentences on January 29 to Tshepo Sthembiso Molaba, 33, Thabiso Gladwin Phendela, 30, and John Elvis Hlongwane, 30. They were found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating the administration of justice, and murder.
According to a statement by North West Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula and NPA North West Division communication officer Sivenathi Gunya, Diphephenyane was on official duty in July 2023, travelling from Kimberley to Rustenburg when he was hijacked in Klerkskraal, North West. His state vehicle, cellphone, and money were stolen, and his body was later found next to the road with signs of strangulation.
A multi-disciplinary team, including the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Tactical Operations units, as well as police officers from various units in the Northern Cape and the North West, was assembled to track down the suspects. Their efforts led them to Boikhutsong, Ventersdorp, in the North West and Vosloorus, Brakpan, in Gauteng, where the suspects were eventually traced and arrested.
The suspects appeared in court and were remanded in custody until their sentencing. Molaba received 10 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, while Phendela was sentenced to four years for defeating the administration of justice and Hlongwane was handed 12 years for murder. All three have been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
While some feel the sentences do not fully reflect the severity of the crime, law enforcement officials have welcomed the convictions.
The acting North West provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, praised the investigative and prosecution teams for “working tirelessly to ensure that the accused face the full might of the law”.
The conviction offers some closure to Diphephenyane’s colleagues and family, who remember him as a dedicated officer committed to justice.