Accuse. Triple murderer Takume Edmond Motshekga receives double life sentence and additional 15 years for attempted murder. Picture credit: NPA
By Montsho Matlala
Polokwane: The Limpopo High Court in Polokwane has recently slapped a man who shot dead three people including his police officer wife and two men to double life sentences for the gruesome murders committed at Kuranta village near Giyani.
The court also sentenced Takume Edmond Motshekga 32 to additional 15 years imprisonment for the attempted murder after he shot and wounded a fourth victim in his shooting spree, said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi.
On the fateful day, Motshekga had a heated argument over the phone with his wife, Constable Mahlatse Precious Machubeni who was attached to the Mokwakwaila Police station. Later that evening he requested his wife’s cousin Pontsho Sekumane to drive him to a certain house to fetch her.
Upon arrival at the house another argument broke out between Motshekga and his wife Machubeni during which he drew a gun and shot her dead, the court heard.
He then demanded the car keys from Sekumane who refused. In response Motshekga shot him dead as well. He then took the car keys and drove away from the scene leaving his wife and her cousin dead. As he fled he came across a motorist Louis Makhurupetji and shot him dead. He also shot a man travelling with Makhurupetji but he survived with injuries.
After the shooting spree, Motshekga drove to Giyani Police Station and handed himself over.
In court he denied committing the murders and insisted his wife provoked him. He was nevertheless convicted due to overwhelming evidence including forensic findings of the injuries sustained by his victims.
State prosecutor Advocate Nkhetheni Munyai highlighted that the accused’s actions were driven by jealousy and disregard for human life.
Judge Jane Ngobeni remarked while delivering judgment, “If the deceased knew you (Motshekga) were going to kill her she would not have accepted your love proposal.”
