PRETORIA,
South
Africa
–
The
Pretoria
High
Court
has
sentenced
three
illegal
Zimbabwean
nationals,
Edison
Ngamiko,
38,
Amos
Hassan
Masiya,
38,
and
Edron
Panashe
Chisanako,
39,
to
two
life
terms
each
for
two
counts
of
murder.
They
were
also
sentenced
to
10
years
of
direct
imprisonment
each
for
attempted
murder
and
12
months
imprisonment
for
being
illegal
in
the
country.
The
charges
arose
from
a
tragic
incident
that
occurred
on
17
February
2023,
when
the
three
men
were
approached
by
three
young
girls
aged
15,16,
and
23
at
Mashanganeng
Tavern
in
Olievenhoutbosch.
The
girls
requested
money
from
the
trio
to
purchase
alcohol,
and
the
men
initially
provided
them
with
R40.
When
the
girls
asked
for
an
additional
R20
to
pay
a
male
companion
who
was
going
to
accompany
them
home,
the
accused
complied,
bringing
the
total
amount
given
to
R60.
Later
that
night,
as
the
girls
were
leaving
the
tavern,
the
accused
accompanied
them.
When
they
reached
Mamello
Street,
Chisanako
demanded
sexual
favours
from
the
15-year-old
girl.
When
the
girl
refused
and
the
16-year-old
reprimanded
him,
Chisanako
shot
the
16-year-old
in
the
neck,
resulting
in
her
immediate
collapse.
He
then
shot
the
other
two
girls
multiple
times,
leading
to
their
deaths
at
the
scene.
A
shot
fired
during
the
chaos
hit
Ngamiko
accidentally.
Upon
realizing
the
16-year-old
was
still
alive,
Ngamiko
attempted
to
finish
the
job,
but
the
firearm
had
run
out
of
bullets,
thereafter
they
fled
the
scene.
The
surviving
victim
crawled
home
and
report
the
incident.
The
police
discovered
the
two
bodies
of
the
deceased
girls
after
patrolling
the
area
that
same
night.
The
police
investigation
led
to
Ngamiko’s
arrest
three
days
later,
on
20
February
2023,
while
he
was
receiving
treatment
for
his
gunshot
wound.
Masiya
was
arrested
on
9
October
2023
on
unrelated
charges
but
was
later
linked
to
the
murder.
After,
he
identified
Chisanako,
who
was
apprehended
the
next
day
on
10
October
2023.
During
the
trial,
all
three
accused
pleaded
not
guilty,
with
Ngamiko
and
Masiya
acknowledging
the
incident
but
claiming
that
Chisanako
was
the
one
who
committed
the
offence.
Chisanako
denied
being
present
on
the
day
of
the
incident.
However,
Prosecutor
Advocate
David
Molokomme
successfully
presented
compelling
evidence,
including
witness
testimonies,
that
established
the
trio’s
common
purpose
in
committing
the
crimes.
During
sentencing,
the
defence
sought
leniency,
appealing
to
the
court
to
consider
their
family
responsibilities
in
Zimbabwe.
However,
Advocate
Molokomme
argued
firmly
for
life
sentences,
reflecting
the
serious
nature
of
the
offences
and
the
lasting
impact
on
the
victims’
families.
He
emphasized
the
defendants’
lack
of
remorse
and
their
previous
convictions
for
violent
crimes
including
robbery
and
house
breaking.
He
highlighted
the
significant
emotional
trauma
inflicted,
supported
by
a
Victim
Impact
Statement
(VIS)
facilitated
by
the
Court
Preparation
Officer
Legobang
Lebese,
which
revealed
the
lasting
psychological
effects
on
the
surviving
victim
where
the
victim
indicated
that,
she
still
has
flash
backs
of
the
day
of
the
incident
and
still
experiences
pain
where
she
was
shot.
The
Acting
Judge
Matlapeng,
upon
reviewing
the
evidence
and
arguments,
agreed
with
the
State’s
position,
noting
the
lack
of
remorse
and
the
brutal
nature
of
the
act.
He
noted
that
the
three
men,
while
seeking
a
better
life
in
South
Africa,
instead
chose
a
path
of
violence
and
disrespect
for
the
law.
Moreover,
it
was
the
responsibility
of
the
court
to
protect
society
from
such
acts
of
violence,
emphasising
that
illegal
immigrants
must
respect
the
laws
of
South
Africa.
Therefore,
he
found
no
substantial
and
compelling
circumstances
justifying
a
deviation
from
the
prescribed
minimum
sentences.
The
National
Prosecuting
Authority
(NPA)
welcomes
the
sentencing
of
the
three
men,
considering
it
a
crucial
step
towards
justice.
Story
based
on
unedited
statement
by
South
African
National
Prosecuting
Authority