ZIMBABWEAN MURDER ACCUSED SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF TEENAGE GIRL IN SA
POLOKWANE: The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, has welcomed the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Polokwane High Court to Tatenda Sithole (30), the second accused in the brutal murder of 17-year-old Motjatji Thoka, whose body was discovered in a deserted house in Botlokwa in January 2024.
The accused was sentenced on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, to life imprisonment for murder, five years’ imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice and eight years’ imprisonment for violation of a corpse. The sentences for defeating the ends of justice and violation of a corpse will run concurrently with the life imprisonment sentence.
The case stems from an incident in which the teenage victim went missing on 05 January 2024 after informing others that she was going to a local shop in Mokomene Village, Botlokwa policing area. On 10 January 2024, her body was discovered in a deserted house with her head severed and internal organs missing.
Following intensive investigative work, two Zimbabwean nationals were arrested in connection with the gruesome murder. The accused persons subsequently pointed out the crime scene and led police to the location where the victim’s head and internal organs had been buried, approximately five kilometres from where her headless body was discovered.
The first accused, Brian Mugweira (22), pleaded guilty to the charges in the Polokwane High Court last year (2025) and was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by Sergeant Themba Sindane of the Provincial Harmful Occult Related Practices (P.HORP) and Missing Persons Unit.
Lieutenant General Scheepers commended investigating officer and the other members involved in the case for their dedication and perseverance in ensuring that the accused were brought to justice.
He reiterated that SAPS remains committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. He further emphasised that the successful finalisation of the case demonstrates the importance of thorough investigations and the commitment of police members to securing justice for victims and their families.
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