Makaya Mark Soga

Makaya Mark Soga (1935 - 1988)

Brief overview:

Makaya (53), a shopkeeper, and his wife, Lindiwe Andriena Soga, had just locked up shop and climbed into their car on 11th December 1988, when an armed man wearing a hoodie and a balaclava cap opened the passenger door and fired two shots at them. The first shot hit Lindiwe in the left buttock, lodging near the spinal column and the second struck the Makaya on the left side of the chest penetrating the heart and left lung. He died a short while later as a result of his injuries.

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
• The Farm/Smallholding
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
  • Handbag, R3000 in cash
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
  • Blom Wellington Pule
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction
  • Boom Wellington Pule was convicted in the East London Circuit Local Division by LUDORF J and two assessors on one count each of murder, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was also found guilty of the unlawful possessión of a firearm and ammunition. No extenuating circumstances were found in respect of the murder conviction, and under the then prevailing law he was sentenced to death. In respect of each of the attempted murder and robbery convictions he was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment and for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition he was sentenced to six months and three months imprisonment respectively. All the sentences of imprisonment were ordered to run concurrently. With the leave of the Judge a quo the appellant appeals to this Court against the convictions and sentences.
  • In my view the manner and circumstances in which the present crime was committed are such that one is driven to the conclusion that this is one of those exceptional cases where the deterrent and retributive aspects of punishment outweigh all other considerations and the death sentence is imperatively called for. I regard the present case as one where the "perceptions, sensibilities and interests of the community demand nothing less than the extreme penalty" (S v Majosi and Others 1991(2) SACR 532 (A) at 541 e-f). Although leave was also granted to appeal against the sentences imposed on the other counts, no argument was addressed to us in respect of those sentences and there is no basis upon which this Court could interfere with the exercise of his discretion by the trial Judge. In the result the appeals against the convictions and sentences on all counts are dismissed. W. VIVIER JA.

Additional Biographical Information:

Links to Media articles:

• https://archive.ph/dP8jt (Court document)