Sentencing for the accused who were found guilty of the robbery and murder of Piet Els and the assault of his partner is expected to take place in the Northern Cape High Court on March 11.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo
THE STATE has motivated that the accused who played leading roles in the murder of well-known Kimbelrey businessman Piet Els should receive life sentences, as they have a history of violence and remain a danger to society.
Els and his partner were assaulted and tortured at Carter’s Ridge farm during the robbery, during which two firearms, a cellphone, a diamond ring valued at R1.5 million, a Mercedes-Benz, Krugerrand coins, a camera, a watch, and cash were stolen from the house and shared among the accused.
The accused - Morapedi Rankali, Montlalentwa Qhautse, Lizbeth Ndlala, Themba Lawrence Maja, Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane, Samson Mbokane and Jabulani Zuma - were found guilty on charges including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, sexual assault and theft.
The legal representative for Mahomane, Kenny Pretorius, agreed with the State that the personal circumstances of the accused paled in comparison to the brutal nature of the crime.
Presenting arguments during sentencing procedures in the Northern Cape High Court this week, senior State advocate Hannes Cloete pointed out that former President Jacob Zuma’s son, Jabulani Zuma, 67, was on parole at the time of the incident.
He believed that the robbery was premeditated and “gang-related”.
“The nature of the housebreaking amounted to a farm attack. The degree of violence endured by the deceased resulted in his death, and the injuries sustained by the complainant add to the seriousness of the offence.”
Cloete believed that Ndlala, Maja and Mbokane qualified for a 15-year sentence as they were first-time offenders and advanced in age.
Sentencing for the accused who were found guilty of the robbery and murder of Piet Els and the assault of his partner is expected to take place in the Northern Cape High Court on March 11.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo
The legal representative for Zuma, Moetleetsi Mogwere, stated that his client made a meaningful contribution to the economy as a subsistence farmer.
Judge Lawrence Lever pointed out that Zuma was supposed to be on probation until 2037.
Qhautse accepted that he should be given a 20-year sentence in order to “co-operate with the State”.
The legal representative for Qhautse, Ndlala and Mbokane, advocate Thema Diba, argued that his clients should be placed under correctional supervision, as they were first-time offenders and played minor roles in the crime.
Lever is expected to hand down sentencing on March 11.
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