WESTERN CAPE - Investigations into serious violent crimes undertaken by seasoned Western Cape detectives are proving fruitful with the latest sentences handed down in two courts in the week.

On Wednesday 24 July 2019 members of the Americans and Young Gifted Six Bobs gangs were involved in a heated argument on the ramp of court 1 in Wynberg. The victim fled by jumping over the rails into the court building where Christopher Hukura stabbed the deceased, Chad Petersen in the neck. The victim was declared dead by medical personnel on the scene. The violent incident signalled the start of an intense investigation by seasoned detectives of the Anti-Gang Unit in a bid to secure a conviction. The suspect was subsequently arrested and his application for bail successfully opposed. He was remanded in custody for the entire duration of the court case, after which the case was transferred to the Western Cape High court. The investigating officer Sergeant Mapukata, had to face a massive onslaught from the defence attorney, in a bid to prove that his client acted in self-defence. The investigating officer was not rattled thereby presenting the facts to the court.

After an intense trial in the Western Cape High Court, Chistopher Hukura was convicted and sentenced by Acting Judge Grobbelaar to 15 years on a charge of murder and three (3) years on a charge of assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm. The sentences will run concurrently.

In an unrelated incident, three unknown men entered a local retail store in the early hours of Sunday, 02 June 2019 in Zwelethemba, Worcester and robbed the security guards and personnel. They forced the manager into the office, demanding cash from the safe. The suspects shot and killed the 55-year-old victim after which they fled the scene.

Through the diligent work of Worcester Serious and Violent detectives, the three implicated suspects were traced and apprehended, which paved the way for the commencement of the trial. The three accused namely Lulamile Sikhephu, Xolisa Mtyobile and Bongani Dlongwana were convicted on Monday, 13 June 2022 and the case was remanded for sentencing to Thursday, 25 August 2022. Circuit High court Judge Lister Gcinikhaya Nuku sentenced the trio to life imprisonment.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile lauded the investigating officers for sterling investigations that resulted in the convictions and sentences.

Source: South African Police Service