Fortune Mahlatse Sebone, 19, who is charged with killing Polokwane resident Lindie Oberholzer, was given a 15-year prison term on Wednesday, October 4 for attacking and robbing Mathata Masilo a week after Oberholzer’s death.

Judge Matsaro Semenya handed down the sentence at the Limpopo High Court: Polokwane Division after Sebone pleaded guilty to the charges of breaking and entering, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and attempted murder.

He acknowledged being present when he planned to take devices from Masilo’s home in the Bendor neighbourhood in August 2022.

He said during his testimony that he was nearby looking for work.

“I saw an open window at the house and decided to jump the wall and enter the house from the back. I looked around for anything to steal and moved from room to room before going upstairs. When I went upstairs I found a man there with two laptops. I took a flower vase, hit him on the head and pushed him down the stairs. I went back, took the laptops and ran.”

Sebone was apprehended a few blocks away by a security company, and was taken back to the crime scene where police officials arrested him.

The judge used Masilo’s injuries as contributing factors in addition to the gravity of the offence when determining the sentence.

Sebone received a 15-year sentence for both violent robbery and breaking into a home with the intent to steal.

He received a six-year term of imprisonment on the attempted murder charge. The terms will follow one another.