The High Court of Mpumalanga, sitting in Middelburg, sentenced a 16-year-old girl to 18 years in prison for her role in an aggravated robbery and murder.
According to police, the “tragic incident” took place in August 2023 in Loding Village near Vaalbank, Mpumalanga.
“On August 14, 2024, the court sentenced the accused to 18 years for the murder of Ms Grace Tebogo Sebothoma, 64, which she committed by stabbing her multiple times then robbed her of her personal belongings,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli.
In addition, the adolescent received a 10-year sentence for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The judge ordered that both sentences run consecutively.
Meanwhile, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, hailed the punishment and called for the protection of vulnerable people of society.
“We hope this sentence will send a strong message to young people who commit crime, that they will have to bear the consequences,” said Mkhwanazi.
“Take note that one of our strategies within the [SA Police Service] SAPS, is the Youth Crime Prevention Desk, which was established as a platform for young people to get together and engage in issues affecting them,” he said.
