Student cop gets 17 years
2012-12-04 13:03
Johannesburg - Convicted murderer student
constable Sipho Mbatha was sentenced by the South Gauteng High Court in
Johannesburg on Tuesday to 17 years in prison, with five years suspended.
"Five of that is suspended on condition
that you are not convicted of any offence ranging from common assault to
murder," ruled Judge Kathleen Satchwell.
Mbatha rose to his feet, looking composed,
and was hugged and kissed by his wife.
In August Mbatha was found guilty of killing
16-year-old Thato Mokoka. Satchwell said there had been no evidence to dispute
that Mbatha's actions were not intentional.
Mbatha shot Mokoka dead in February while the
teenager was lying on his stomach outside his grandmother's house. Police were
conducting a raid at the house after Mokoka was accused of being part of a gang
terrorising local residents.
Mokoka's family cried inconsolably outside
court.
His great-grandmother said the family would
"release" Mbatha, as all was done now.
Mbatha, took a private moment with his wife
and son before his sentencing.
His wife had been weeping silently while awaiting proceedings, when they were
led out of court for a private moment.
Later on, Mbatha, wife and son returned to
court composed and took a seat on a bench directly behind him as he sat in the
dock.
As sentencing began, Judge Kathleen Satchwell
said it would be a rather long sentence to deliver.
She said it should be taken into
consideration that Mbatha shot and killed Mokoka while on duty and not during a
robbery.
But, she also said, a young life had been
taken.
"He was unarmed. His death was a murder
and a terrible loss of life," she said.
- SAPA
