POLOKWANE – Immanuel Charles Maboko (33) from Burgersfort, accused of multiple serious crimes, including murder and vehicle theft, was found guilty last Thursday by the Polokwane High Court.
Despite facing serious charges, Maboko chose to represent himself and remained silent throughout the trial, which started in late 2023.
Maboko was convicted on three counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, all stemming from crimes committed in April 2022.
During the trial, witnesses testified that Maboko entered a BMW dealership in Nirvana, Polokwane, pretending to be a customer.
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In the midst of the visit, he brandished a firearm, demanding the car keys to a BMW X6M from the sales manager.
Amid the chaos, he fatally shot Muofhe Luvhimbi (56), a teacher from Vhembe, twice in the head and abdomen.
Luvhimbi had been at the dealership for vehicle maintenance. Maboko then fled the scene in the stolen vehicle.
“The police were immediately notified and arrested Maboko near the stadium, where he was found inside the stolen vehicle. Two firearms were recovered in the car,” said Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo.
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The court linked Maboko to two additional murders.
In one instance, he fatally shot Malatji Putana Lucas in Mabocha village.
According to testimony, Maboko called Lucas to the gate of his home as he was preparing to leave for work and then shot him several times before fleeing.
Lucas had reportedly been hired by Maboko for building work.
Maboko was also found guilty of killing Prof Mohamed Saber Tayob, who was shot dead while jogging on Munnik Street in Ster Park.
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Witnesses testified that Maboko exited his white vehicle and fired several shots at Tayob before driving away.
Following the verdict, Maboko was remanded in custody and now awaits sentencing.
Raeesa Sempe
www.citizen.co.za
