A TAXI driver who knocked down and killed a pedestrian at a busy taxi rank will spend 22 years behind bars.
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Mathews Mboweni (40) was sentenced by the Burgersfort Regional Court for the death of 43-year-old Paka Poti.
The incident happened at the Burgersfort Long Distance Taxi Rank.
What started as a culpable homicide case later became a murder case after the magistrates court instructed that the charge be changed when the case docket was presented.
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Mboweni was arrested on 12 June 2022 but was released on R1 000 bail 10 days later.
His case was later transferred from the district court to the regional court, where he was found guilty of three offences on 4 September 2026.
The court sentenced him to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for murder, five years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and another two years for inconsiderate driving.
The sentences add up to 22 years behind bars.
The murder conviction carries the heaviest sentence, with 15 of the 22 years imposed for Poti’s death.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Jan Petrus Scheepers welcomed the sentence.
He praised investigating officer Sergeant Hendrick Mmaritji Mmotla for his work in securing the conviction.
The sentence brings an end to a case that began more than four years ago, following Poti’s death at the taxi rank.
