UPINGTON – Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the brutal murder of a 14-year-old boy who was burned alive in a revenge attack over stolen dagga worth approximately R10 000.
Elvis Bongani Sikepe (41), a former local firefighter, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, while his accomplice Thomas Christopher Lebitsa (21), received a 10 year sentence. Both men were convicted of murder by the High Court in Upington this week.
The victim, Cashwin Theo Diteho, died on 2 August 2023, after sustaining 80% burn wounds in an attack that shocked the Northern Cape community.
The horrific chain of events began on 1 August 2023, when Sikepe discovered that 100 litres of dagga he had been selling had gone missing. He and Lebitsa’s then went on to track down those responsible.
Their search led them to the Diteho family home, where 14-year-old Cashwin was sleeping. Despite his mother’s desperate pleas, the men forcibly removed the teenager from his bed and bundled him into a vehicle.
Along the route to the outskirts of Upington, Sikepe instructed Lebitsa to buy paraffin – a detail that proved crucial in securing convictions.
At a remote location, Sikepe interrogated the child, tied a rope around his neck, and doused him with the paraffin. In a final act of cruelty, he forced a third man, Isaac Vywers, to set the boy alight under threat of being burned himself.
Rather than seeking immediate medical help, Sikepe attempted to cover up the crime by telling hospital staff that Diteho had tried to commit suicide. Medical intervention proved futile, and the teenager died the following day.
Forensic evidence later revealed clear signs of strangulation and torture, contradicting Sikepe’s false claims.
The police service’s rapid response led to all three suspects being arrested on the same day. Sikepe was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial.
However, the court acquitted Vywers after finding he had been coerced and victimised by Sikepe.
State Advocate Jaques Rosenberg presented compelling evidence of premeditation, highlighting Sikepe’s deliberate purchase of paraffin and his abuse of power as both an older man and a firefighter over his younger co-accused.
The court heard devastating victim impact statements coordinated by NPA Court Preparation Officer Ashley Groenewald. Diteho’s grandmother was forced to resign from work due to trauma, while his mother continues to battle unbearable guilt and grief.
Letters from the boy’s schoolmates were read into the record, illustrating the broader community impact of the crime.
Defence teams argued for leniency, noting that Sikepe was a father of three and family breadwinner, while Lebitsa was only 19 at the time with no prior convictions.
However, the court rejected these pleas, finding the crime “heinous, cruel, and premeditated.”
The Judge determined that Sikepe was the clear instigator who manipulated younger accomplices, abusing his position of authority.
Sikepe received concurrent sentences of six years for kidnapping and 25 years for murder, resulting in an effective 25-year term. Lebitsa was sentenced to 10 years for murder.
The National Prosecuting Authority in the Northern Cape welcomed the sentences as sending “a clear message that violent crimes, especially those against children, will be met with the harshest consequences.”
“Human life is invaluable. Crimes of this nature will be pursued with vigour to ensure justice for victims and to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders,” said NPA Regional Spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
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