Mathabatha lambasts courts, calls for harsher sentences at slain mayor’s funeral
The funeral service of the late Collins Chabane Local Municipality Mayor, Moses 'Big Moss' Maluleke, was held at the Saselemani Stadium in Limpopo on Tuesday.
Maluleke was shot and killed at his home in Xikundu village nearly two weeks ago, while his teenage son was wounded in the attack.
Two men linked to the crime appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on the eve of Maluleke’s funeral, facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
Charges against a third man have been dropped.
Speaking at the funeral on Tuesday, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha said the province has lost a committed servant of the people.
“We have lost a true community activist. The Collins Chabane Local Municipality has been dealt a devastating blow by a mob of a ruthless and thoughtless mob of criminals.”
Mathabatha thanked the Limpopo police for the swift arrest of the suspects, adding that they hope the court process will reveal the motive for the attack.
At the same time, the premier lambasted the courts and called for an overhaul of the country's parole system.
He called for harsh sentences and no bail for Maluleke's alleged killers.
“We have been calling for harsher sentences from our courts, and we don’t seem to be getting the audience we want. People get sentenced for a lengthy jail term for killing animals, but a minimum sentence for the killing of a human being is a mere 15 years, and this must change.”
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