Murderer kills again while on bail

Tebogo Kgalemang
Correspondent | Friday October 8, 2010 00:00

High court judge Justice Tshepho Motswagole yesterday added 16 years to the 18 that are being served by Brown Zhola (37) of Mathangwane, who, under the influence of alcohol and out on bail, stabbed Gilbert Tahla with a sharp object during a fight in Ditladi. The sentences will run consecutively.

In giving sentence Motswagole stated that the bail was for the murder that he (Zhola) committed in 2000. 'It seems clear the accused has lived a life of violence and has little regard for the law that the little chance he had on bail he used the opportunity to commit crime.

In conclusion the convict has not exhibited any sign of remorse and his freedom is most likely to expose people's life to danger,' the judge said.

Motswagole went on to say that Zhola who has a total number of 19 previous convictions since 1989 was a danger to the public. He stressed that a substantial number of Zhola's convictions involved use of force against another citing that the convict has little regard for the law. Some of the previous convictions include assault, unlawful wounding and common assault.

The judge revealed that most of the convict's previous counts were before the customary courts and that the sentences were extremely lenient.

'The sentences had little effect on his conduct and it is not surprising that he ultimately committed very serious offences in a short time. This shows that the convict has not shown any sign of remorse and in my view prison seems to be the best place for him,' he stated.