Traditional healer sentenced for brutal murder of a client
Tinyiko Tony Simango, a traditional healer, aged 51, received a heft sentence from the Limpopo Division of the High Court on 9 November 2022. This sentence is for the brutal killing of Victor Alexander Phokgedi Lekau who was 65 years old from Ga-Mphahlele hamlet west of Lebowakgomo.
The trial court decided to convict Simango after hearing evidence of how he killed his client on 2 May 2022. The deceased man was killed when went to his practice in Hlakano Village, Zebediela, for a consultation.
The accused traditional healer hit the victim with a wheel spanner, instantly killing him, and then fled in the stolen car. This happened after the two drove to the bushes near Groothoek to carry out rituals.
The accused attempted to sell the deceased’s car by driving around the local villages but was unsuccessful.
The battery of the deceased got detached, a few days later after discovering this, the tracker company got in touch with the deceased’s family when they were unable to reach him.
The family then reported the incident at the Lebowakgomo police station. Police started searching for the missing man after opening a report of a missing person.
A high-speed car chase between the trucking company and the accused occurred resulting in the car overturning. The accused was arrested on 7 May 2022, while being treated in the hospital. He then admitted to killing the victim and led the police to the crime scene, where the body had already started to decompose.
After the body was found decomposed, the missing person case was changed into murder and robbery.
For murder and robbery, he received 20 years and 12-year prison terms, respectively. The accused will effectively serve 20 years in prison as the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
The investigating officer, Sergeant Ledwaba, has received praise from the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, for the excellent investigation.
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