Life sentences, among others, were handed down in the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court on Friday (26/7) to the three suspects in the brutal murder of a queer activist.

Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), and Thato Mosetla (22) were remanded in custody after their appearance on Thursday (25/7) when the court adjourned before they were sentenced.

The trio were charged on several counts: one of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two of kidnapping, three of murder, and four of malicious property damage. Count five was defeating the ends of justice.

The three suspects were sentenced at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court. Picture: Twitter

Sam Mbatha was a queer activist who worked for the North-West University, based at the Mahikeng campus.

“In handing down the sentence, they were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for count one, for court two kidnapping they were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each,” said North West NPA communication officer Sive Gunya.

“For count three which is murder, they were given a life sentence each, for malicious damage to property they were sentenced to ten years imprisonment, and for defeating the ends of justice they were sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Sam Mbatha’s charred body was found in the car. Picture: kormorant.co.za.

“The court ordered that all the counts or sentences run concurrently with the sentence imposed for count three which is a life imprisonment. So all the accused are sentenced to life imprisonment,” he said.

The men were arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking them to the murder of Mbatha on Monday, 21 June 2021.

Police investigations led them to a house in the Phutha section near Klipgat on that fateful Monday, where they found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed, as well as on a carpet. An axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house.

Mbatha was a queer activist and employed on the NWU Mahikeng campus. Picture: Facebook/Sam Junior Mbatha Foundation

Mbatha’s charred body was discovered in a burned-out car next to a football field in Ikageng, Potchefstroom.

DNA samples positively identified Mbatha as the deceased person, whose body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20, at a soccer field in Ikageng Section on Thursday, 17 June.

“Mosetla was denied bail on 7 July 2022, after he initially abandoned it following his arrest. Meanwhile, Khoza and Nkuna were out on R500 bail each,” said Gunya.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh