THOHOYANDOU - The Thohoyandou High Court passed heavy sentences on nine dangerous criminals last Wednesday.THOHOYANDOU - The Thohoyandou High Court passed heavy sentences on nine dangerous criminals last Wednesday.

The court heard that Avhapfani Tshilongo (25) of Matangari Village had killed Police Inspector Humbulani Hendrik Mphephu at Dumasi Village in 1998. Mphephu was killed in front of his wife, but the motive behind the killing is unknown.

After killing inspector Mphephu, he proceeded to Tshififi Village, where he raped the wife of a popular businessman. He also raped a young girl at Tshitomboni Village and staged an armed robbery at Dididi.

Tshilongo appeared in court on 42 different charges and the court sentenced him to four lifetimes' imprisonment.

The second accused, Azwifarwi Mutavhatsindi (31) of Mphego Village was, amongst others, also involved in the killing of Insp Mphephu at Tshififi and he was given three life sentences in prison.

Accused number three, Mashudu Mabalane (25), of Mphego Village, was sentenced to 204 years imprisonment for murder, rape, pointing a fire-arm and robbery. He appeared in court on 17 different charges.

Accussed number four, Simon Thovhogi, was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment for murder, while the fifth accussed, Prince Thinandavha Rasivhaga (27), who faced four charges, ranging from murder, robbery and theft of motor vehicles, was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment.

Godfrey Fulufheleo Makhuvha will spend the next 30 years in jail for the theft of a motor vehicle, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Leornard Dziedzi Ratshivhanda (28) faced 11 charges, ranging from murder, theft of a motor vehicle and being found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. He was sentenced to 125 years imprisonment.

Accused number eight, Joseph Phanguphangu, appeared on counts of armed robbery and theft of motor vehicles, and he was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment.

Ntanganedzeni Netshanzhe faced 17 counts of armed robbery and he was sentenced to 15-years' imprisonment. The court heard that Avhapfani Tshilongo (25) of Matangari Village had killed Police Inspector Humbulani Hendrik Mphephu at Dumasi Village in 1998. Mphephu was killed in front of his wife, but the motive behind the killing is unknown. After killing inspector Mphephu, he proceeded to Tshififi Village, where he raped the wife of a popular businessman. He also raped a young girl at Tshitomboni Village and staged an armed robbery at Dididi. Tshilongo appeared in court on 42 different charges and the court sentenced him to four lifetimes' imprisonment. The second accused, Azwifarwi Mutavhatsindi (31) of Mphego Village was, amongst others, also involved in the killing of Insp Mphephu at Tshififi and he was given three life sentences in prison. Accused number three, Mashudu Mabalane (25), of Mphego Village, was sentenced to 204 years imprisonment for murder, rape, pointing a fire-arm and robbery. He appeared in court on 17 different charges. Accussed number four, Simon Thovhogi, was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment for murder, while the fifth accussed, Prince Thinandavha Rasivhaga (27), who faced four charges, ranging from murder, robbery and theft of motor vehicles, was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment. Godfrey Fulufheleo Makhuvha will spend the next 30 years in jail for the theft of a motor vehicle, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Leornard Dziedzi Ratshivhanda (28) faced 11 charges, ranging from murder, theft of a motor vehicle and being found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. He was sentenced to 125 years imprisonment. Accused number eight, Joseph Phanguphangu, appeared on counts of armed robbery and theft of motor vehicles, and he was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment. Ntanganedzeni Netshanzhe faced 17 counts of armed robbery and he was sentenced to 15-years' imprisonment.