By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of two life terms each, handed down by the Benoni Regional Court to Melusi Gift Shima (26) and Ishmael Hlabathi (35) from Benoni for the premeditated murder of a couple.
The court ordered that the life terms run concurrently. On 26 May 2019, the couple, Johanco Fleischman (19) and Jessica Kuhn (21) were driving a bakkie with two passengers, when they ran out of fuel at the Putfontein off-ramp.
According Lumka Mahanjana, NPA Regional Spokesperson, the couple was approached by the pair who shot them dead.
A witness pointed them out to the police and they were arrested from their homes on 19 June 2020, and have been in custody since after NPA successfully opposed bail. The pair pleaded not guilty to killing the couple.
Mahanjana said in their victim Impact statement, Kuhn’s parents stated that ever since the killing of their daughter, they have been diagnosed with depression.
“And are taking medication to cope. The mother said she is scared to drive, in case the car stops on the side road.
“The parents fear they will no longer have children to look after them as Kuhn’s two brothers want to immigrate because they no longer feel safe in South Africa,” Mahanjana.
Prosecutor Tashnee Ramcharan argued in court and said: “What the pair did was a ruthless and heinous offence, calling for a sentence that echoes the sentiments of the community.
“And the families, therefore she asked the court to impose the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.”
Adv. Mzinyathi says “he wants to assure the community that the NPA is committed to prosecuting all crimes without fear, favour or prejudice”.
