The Thohoyandou High Court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the murder, robbery, and kidnapping of a 37-year-old man in Mandiwana village, falling under the Siloam policing area in Limpopo.
On Friday, May 22, 2026, the court delivered sentences to accused one, Thinandavha Rudolph Mathisa, aged 37, and accused two, Lucas Mukhadi, aged 35, as follows:
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Count 1 – Murder: Life imprisonment
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Count 2 – Robbery with aggravating circumstances: Five years imprisonment
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Count 3 – Kidnapping: Five years imprisonment
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Count 4 – Defeating the ends of justice: Three years imprisonment
The sentences for counts two, three, and four will run concurrently with the life sentence for count one.
According to court proceedings, on December 18, 2022, the victim, Jimmy Mukwevho, aged 37, was in Mandiwana village driving his Nissan NP200 with the accused. At Mathisa’s homestead, Mathisa allegedly struck Mukwevho on the head with a brick, causing his death. The deceased was then bound with a rope on his hands and legs.
The suspects placed the body in the rear bin of the Nissan NP200 and disposed of it at Levubu Bridge, assisted by a female suspect. The vehicle was later driven to Mashau village and sold for R7,500 to a foreign male business owner. The vehicle was subsequently recovered.
Mukhadi was arrested on January 2, 2023, and Mathisa was arrested on January 4, 2023. The body of Mr. Mukwevho has not yet been found.
A third female accused, aged 28, from Mashau village was later released by the court.
The incident caused significant unrest in Mandiwana village, with community members blocking roads for several days following the killing.
The investigation was led by Sergeant Collen Sinyosi of Siloam Detectives, who ensured the accused were not granted bail until sentencing.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo commended the investigative work by Sergeant Sinyosi for securing the convictions and ensuring justice for the victim and his family.
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