Zimbabwean teen involved in brutal murder and dismemberment of 17-Year-old motjatji thoka

A Zimbabwean citizen has been handed a 22-year prison sentence by the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo after being convicted of murder.

Brian Mugwira, 19, was among those responsible for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of 17-year-old Motjatji Thoka from Mokomene village.

Disappearance of Motjatji Thoka Sparks Urgent Police Search, Motjatji Thoka vanished from her home on January 5. According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, a missing person report was swiftly lodged at the Botlokwa police station in Capricorn District, prompting the involvement of the Provincial Missing Person Task Team in Limpopo.

After an extensive investigation, her remains were found on January 8, 2024, in the yard of an occupied house, with several body parts missing,” Ledwaba said.

Brian Mugwira and Tatenda Sithole Arrested as Key Suspects, authorities arrested Brian Mugwira and his co-accused, 36-year-old Tatenda Sithole, after they were identified as primary suspects in the case.

Police revealed that Brian Mugwira was discovered in possession of some of the missing girl’s body parts.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba reported that Tatenda Sithole was arrested on January 16, 2024, at a rental property in Mokomene village. Ten days later, Brian Mugwira was captured in the mountains near Ndzelele village in Thohoyandou, where he was discovered with parts of the victim’s body.

Throughout the court proceedings, both defendants were denied bail and continued to be held in custody.

On Thursday, Brian Mugwira confessed to the murder and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Meanwhile, his co-accused, Tatenda Sithole, pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial on June 2, 2025.

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Limpopo police commissioner, praised the investigation team for their thorough efforts in exposing the horrific crimes and securing justice for the victim.