SCA brings to an end a deadly tale of three drinking buddies

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has brought to a close a tragic story that began with three “friends” going out for drinks one night 16 years ago and ended with a murder.

- By Mzwandile kaBizokwakhe

On Sunday, July 19, 2009, Boitumelo Caleb Moloto and his friend, Kgomotso Naphtally Phutsoane, met Shimane Isaac Mafoko, who was driving his car. The three spent the night tavern-hopping before one of them conceived a dark plan.

Motolo persuaded Phutsoane that they should rob Mafoko of the car. The plan was set in motion when Moloto asked Mafoko to drive them home. En route, at the Sun City T-junction, Phutsoane asked Mafoko to pull over, pretending he needed to relieve himself.

As Phutsoane alighted, Moloto, who was in the back seat, strangled Mafoko with a shoelace. Phutsoane then joined in, and the two men choked their drinking companion until he lost consciousness.

Believing him to be dead, they lifted Mafoko's body and threw him into the boot of his own car.