Thoriso Themane

Image: Shongoane Samuel Malema / Facebook

Thoriso Themane death: Six teenagers, two adults found guilty of the murder

The Polokwane High Court has found eight suspects guilty of killing the aspiring musician Thoriso Themane. The 23-year-old was assaulted to death for a cap in 2019.

Thoriso Themane

Image: Shongoane Samuel Malema / Facebook

Thoriso Themane’s murderers have been found guilty of killing the 23-year-old musician after he was heavily beaten to death in Polokwane’s Fauna Park two years ago.

THORISO THEMANE’S MURDERERS FACE JAIL TIME

As confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Wednesday, four teenagers, aged 13 to 16, and two adults are responsible for the death of Themane. Two of the minors had initially pleaded guilty to assault.

The two adults, Chuene Maleka and Alfred Mothapo, were convicted for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The court accused the eight of fatally beating up Themane in 2019 in Fauna Park, Polokwane. The teenagers had alleged Thoriso Themane took a cap belonging to one of them.

“In the murder trial of six child offenders and two adults assaulted and murdered 28-year-old Thoriso Themane in 2019 were today found guilty in the Polokwane High Court by Deputy Judge President Semenya,” the NPA said.

“Four of the young offenders were convicted of murder as they were found to have participated in all four stages when the deceased was assaulted.”

THE MINORS WERE ACTING IN A COMMON PURPOSE

According to the court’s ruling added details, the six minors were directly involved in taking away Thoriso Themane’s life.

Two of the teens claimed they only kicked and slapped the victim before pushing him out of the vehicle while the other suspects did the rest.

“The offenders never distanced themselves, they were acting with a common purpose,” the NPA added.

“One of them even uttered the words “‘homeboy I will kill you.”

“The other teenagers submitted a guilty plea statement which stated they slapped Thamane and kicked him out of their vehicle and then left the scene, while the group of minors continued to assault the victim him.

“The court found them guilty on the count of assault common.”

THE NPA concluded.