The murderer of a 68-year-old pensioner has been sentenced to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment.
Terry Jabulani Ngomane (35) was sentenced in the Theunissen Magistrates’ Court on 14 May. He was found guilty of the brutal murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances of Sabata Tsoai, an ex-police officer. Tsoai had been found murdered in his home in Theunissen.
Ngomane was convicted on both charges. He received 20 years’ imprisonment for murder and ten years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Five years of the robbery sentence will run concurrently with the murder sentence, meaning he will serve an effective 25 years behind bars.
The incident happened on the night of 13 May 2018.
“Tsoai’s hands and feet were tied with cables, after which he was brutally assaulted and killed. His body was discovered a day later, with his property scattered throughout the house in Theunissen,” says Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, Free State police spokesperson.
A firearm safe was found open, with a firearm and cellphone missing.
“Const. Sechele Machesa received the case in 2020, and worked tirelessly to gather enough evidence to assist him in locating and arresting the suspect in 2021. His evidence gathering and invesigating skills proved crucial in securing the conviction. The prosecution team, led by Adv. Edwin Munyai and Dr Itumeleng Maklein, relied solely on circumstantial evidence to secure a conviction on both charges,” says Kareli.
He says this conviction and sentencing serve as a testament to the dedication of the police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
