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The Citizen
20-05-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria man sentenced unprovoked murder of young man
A Pretoria man was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment by the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court for the unprovoked murder of a 20-year-old in Soshanguve. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm following the fatal stabbing incident that shocked the local community. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the murder took place on January 23, 2024. The 20-year-old Tshireltetso Mananmela went to the nearby tuck shop in Soshanguve to buy cigarettes. While at the tuck shop, Manamela came across Tebogo Boikie Selowa (31), who pointed at him with a knife. 'A nearby community member witnessed the altercation and tried intervening, but Selowa pushed him away. Thereafter, he proceeded to stab Manamela twice in the neck, and he died on the scene because of his injuries. 'Selowa then fled the scene; however, the following morning, he handed himself over to the Soshanguve Police Station.' In court, Selowa pleaded not guilty to the charge of intentionally killing the deceased. Instead, he told the court that he had acted out of self-defence. However, the State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez led compelling evidence from witnesses who were on the scene when the incident happened and proved that, indeed, Selowa intentionally stabbed the deceased unprovoked. Mahanjana said during sentencing proceedings, Selowa, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years direct imprisonment because he is young and has also shown remorse by apologising to the family of the deceased. 'Prosecutor Du Preez argued against the deviation from the prescribe minimum sentence because Selowa was convicted of a serious offence that is very prevalent in the court's jurisdiction. 'Furthermore, she said that the deceased was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him, and in just minutes, his entire future was robbed from him, and his family was robbed of a son.' Du Preez also argued that Selowa showed no sincere remorse for the offence because he only apologised to the family of the deceased after he was found guilty of the offence. 'She also handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer, Maano Magondo, where the deceased parents stated how the death of their son left them traumatised and heartbroken, as they had hopes that their son would grow up and make them proud.' In delivering the judgement, the Regional Court Magistrate Pieter Nel agreed with the state that Selowa did not show sincere remorse for the offence and continued to add that a young man's life was taken away from him for no apparent reason. 'Unfortunately, our country has a high criminal rate; as such, the community expects the court to protect them from perpetrators such as this one by removing them from society', he added. Furthermore, Nel said, the VIS clearly shows the court that the murder of the deceased left a severe and traumatic impact on the family. Therefore, he found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. Also read: Here is the expected petrol price for June Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Alexandra's local spots elevated through Tavern Transformation Programme
Two local establishments in Alexandra, Thathe Restaurant and Siga Culinary, have been revitalised through Heineken Beverages' Tavern Transformation Programme. The programme's progress was recently showcased in a roundtable and media tour in Alexandra on May 8. Read more: Alex taverners urged to lower music volumes as matric exams begin During the event, attendees visited the two local spots transformed into well-managed establishments with improved safety, better facilities, and expanded offerings, including food and non-alcoholic options. Heineken Beverages emphasised that these upgraded establishments were part of their broader movement to formalise and enhance such places, ensuring they stimulate the local economy. Owner of Siga Culinary, Gift Sedibeng, shared how the changes have reshaped his business. 'Our space has been upgraded, and the safety of our customers has improved. People now visit our establishment not just for the alcohol, but for the whole experience from our food offering to having low- and no-alcohol options to choose from. It's not just a place to buy alcohol anymore; it's a place where the community can gather and socialise responsibly.' In Alexandra, where patrons are used to drinking in informal and often unsafe spots, the upgrades signal a shift toward safer, more welcoming spaces where people can enjoy themselves without the risks often associated with informal drinking spots. Also read: Alex taverns reap big rewards from awards Advocate Fati Manamela, the chief director of the Gauteng Liquor Board, commended the initiative. Manamela said the programme marked an important step towards reshaping how people viewed and supported township businesses. 'This kind of public-private collaboration is essential if we are to build a sustainable and inclusive economy,' said Manamela. The director of corporate affairs at Heineken Beverages, Millicent Maroga, reinforced the company's commitment to empowering tavern owners. 'We see tavern owners not just as traders, but as partners in building safer, more responsible and economically vibrant communities. Our vision is to enable them to run thriving businesses that comply with the law, prioritise safety, and serve as positive examples within their communities.' The programme aligns with the company's ambition to make a positive, lasting impact in South Africa, and recognises the role of the informal sector in job creation, fostering entrepreneurship, and enabling upward mobility. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Former Bafana Bafana player shot in Alexandra tavern
