The Kuruman Regional Court has sentenced 35-year-old Tshepo Jantjie to an effective 21 years’ imprisonment for business robbery and murder. The conviction stems from a fatal robbery in January 2022.
According to evidence presented in court, the incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, 16 January 2022, at a shop in Maipeing, within the Tsineng policing area. The 24-year-old shop owner was approached by two men posing as customers.
While the victim was assisting them, both suspects produced firearms, threatened him, and demanded money and cigarettes. During the ensuing altercation, one suspect fired a shot, striking the shop owner in the upper body.
The assailants fled the scene with cash, cigarettes, airtime, and cellular phones. The wounded victim was transported to a nearby hospital, and the Tsineng South African Police Service (SAPS) opened a case of business robbery.
The investigation, led by Detective Sergeant Mojaki Mogaswa, resulted in the arrest of Jantjie, who was initially charged with business robbery and attempted murder. However, the victim succumbed to his injuries on 8 February 2022, leading to the charge being amended to include murder.
Following several court appearances, Jantjie was found guilty on both charges. On Thursday, 5 February 2026, the court handed down the 21-year prison sentence. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.