The family of murdered North West businessman Wandile Bozwana says yesterday's judgment put an end to a long and painful journey for them.
However, Benedict Bozwana hopes that one day, the masterminds behind his brother's killing will also be arrested and face the full might of the law.
"This whole thing was a nightmare to the family, especially because it took so long for it to get to this point. We will get closure," his brother Bozwana told Sowetan yesterday.
The man dubbed Mamelodi’s “Number 1 Tsotsi”, Vusi "Khekhe" Mathibela, and his co-accused were convicted of Bozwana's murder in the high court in Pretoria.
Mathibela, 36, Sipho Patrick Hudla, 40, Matamela Robert Mutapa, 46 and Bonginkosi Paul Khumalo, 42, were found guilty of premeditated murder.
They were also convicted of the attempted murder of Mathibela's business partner Mpho Baloyi, possession of a firearm and ammunition.
They had pleaded not guilty to all charges relating to the shooting that happened on October 2 2015.
"The four people (accused) who were in court know who the masterminds are but did not reveal them. The people who ordered my brother's killing are still roaming the streets, having a nice time.
"If I were given an opportunity to speak to the four people, I would ask them to give us the names of people who paid them to kill my brother.
"The four people did not know my brother and just killed him to get money. They must tell us the truth on who sent them," Bozwana said.
He said the family was happy with the judgment.
"These people must rot in jail. They must never see the light of day again," Bozwana said.
Founder of the North West Business Forum Bishop Sello Mogodiri said he wished there were more details as to why Bozwana was targeted “so that his family, loved ones and us as a business forum can have peace”.
“The four people who have been convicted should disclose the motive behind this killing. They should reveal who their handlers are. Just like the death of Chris Hani, we do not know who paid Janus Walus. These people [accused] are like Janus Walus as they have been found guilty but we do not know who paid them. We do not know the truth. They should show remorse and give us further details on who the other role players are,’’ said Mogodiri.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said: "Hudla, Mutapa and Khumalo followed the deceased who was at Sandton... in Johannesburg with his business associate Betty Mpho Baloyi [on the day of the incident], on instruction by Mathibela.
"When the deceased and Baloyi were leaving Sandton to drive back to Pretoria, they were using Baloyi’s car and she was driving. The three men continued to follow them until they reached the Garsfontein off-ramp, and the traffic lights were red.
"The three men got out of the BMW car they were driving and started shooting at Baloyi’s car and fled the scene. Both the deceased and Baloyi were shot, however, Baloyi managed to drive until she stopped at Garsfontein Road, when police and emergency services arrived.
"Bozwana and Baloyi were taken to the nearest hospital, where he later died due to multiple gunshot wounds."
Mahanjana said the accused were arrested between 2015 and 2016.
Mathibela was granted R50,000 bail in December 2016 while the other accused remained in custody.
He was, however, rearrested in 2019 after he violated his bail conditions, which were revoked and his bail money was forfeited to the state, and has been in custody since.
Prosecutor Adv Jennifer Cronje told the court she had presented evidence to prove the guilt of the four men beyond reasonable doubt and that all four men had a common purpose in killing Bozwana.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Sibongile Mzinyathi, welcomed the conviction and praised the outstanding work of investigating officer Sgt Evans Butso Mongwe.
The case was postponed to August 4 for sentencing.
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