The EFF and the family of slain EFF councillor, Koketso Mojatau, have rejected the 24-year jail term handed down against Simon Mahuse and Frans Ntshumayelo on Tuesday.
The pair were recently found guilty by the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, on 12 counts of murder, attempted murder, robbery and other charges.
Mojatau and his friend Siboniso Sokhele were brutally murdered in April last year and the suspected criminals were arrested by members of the SAPS alongside the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Department with help from the community crime-fighting unit shortly after the gruesome murder.
It has been reported that the hijacking and kidnapping of the victims and their torture happened in Phumula, Vosloorus, and the stolen vehicle was later found abandoned at Nguni Hostel, also in Vosloorus.
In July, Mahuse, 28, and his co-accused Ntshumayelo, 29, were found guilty of two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Speaking to The Star on behalf of the Mojatau family following the sentencing, Beverly Mojatau said 24 years behind bars was not enough as the family and the community have suffered a permanent loss of their breadwinner.
“Koketso was a breadwinner and a responsible community member. His children and the family did not know hunger before his death because he provided for us. We are now left to fend for ourselves and to think that the accused were laughing while the court was in session makes my blood boil.
“What is 24 years for the people who committed such a brutal crime. We had expected more from the system. The crime levels in South Africa will not go down as long as criminals are still given light sentences,” she said.
It was reported that following the tip-off by the community, the police seized stolen items, including the BMW car key and a jacket belonging to Mojatau, an unlicensed 38 special revolver with two live rounds, four car jammers, two speed points and 25 cellphones.
Speaking outside court, EFF provincial chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, said the party was not happy with the lenient sentence imposed on the pair.
“We are aggrieved by the process that has unfolded in the ultimate awarding of the 24-year sentence for these criminals. We saw them busy laughing while the proceedings were unfolding. This tells you that these are hardened criminals who must never find reflection in society ever again.
“However, the courts have come to the determination that they will give them 24 years in jail. What is more tragic is their failure to be remorseful and they even want to appeal their sentence.
“We must then ask ourselves how can these criminals afford to undermine the little that they have been given through the 24-year jail term,” said.
Last month, the court heard how the two men accosted their victims at gunpoint, stealing their vehicles, cellphones, and other personal belongings.
The judge presiding over the trial revealed while reading out her report that Mahuse and Ntshumayelo had not shown any remorse for their actions.
Ahead of the sentencing, senior State prosecutor Matthews Rampyapedi presented a strong case and revealed that the two men had failed to show remorse for their actions and pleaded not guilty throughout the trial.
The Star