The High Court North West Division at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court, on Friday sentenced Solomon Given Tabane to three life sentences for two counts of murder and one of rape.

He was further sentenced to a combined 45 years for other serious offences. Tabane shot and killed a man and a young girl, and raped a woman in December 2018.

In his argument Advocate Theo Moetaesi described Tabane as a ruthless and remorseless individual who has no respect for human life. He further argued that Tabane took advantage of the harmless individuals who posed no harm to him.

“Tabane’s conviction emanates from an incident that took place on 1 December 2018 where he met a couple walking in Ga-Rankuwa. He shot and killed the boyfriend and raped his girlfriend before fleeing the scene,” said NPA spokesperson, Henry Mamothame.

In a separate incident on 22 December 2018 at Kgabalatsane near Ga-Rankuwa, Tabane approached a group of young people, took out a firearm and shot and killed a 19-year-old girl. He robbed the teenagers of three cellphones and a power bank. “The murdered girl was awaiting her matric examination results which came a few days after her passing. She had passed with a university entrance,” he said.

Tabane was also sentenced to 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 10 years for unlawful possession of a firearm, 10 years for possession of ammunition, 5 years for possession of a firearm in a separate incident and 5 years for possession of ammunition.

The Judge, S. Snyman ordered the sentence to run concurrently. He will effectively serve one life-term in prison. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the sentence, Judge Snyman described Tabane as a remorseless person who took away young innocent lives. She said his actions will leave the families and friends of the deceased with long term emotional distress.

The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo commended the investigating officer from the Hebron police, Detective Sergeant Jacob Sekati, as well as the prosecutor for a well-collaborated effort, which resulted in a successful conviction.