By OBAKENG MAJE
Two men were sentenced to two life imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp for the murder of an elderly couple in Christiana. Quinton Brits (38) and Mabote Ernest Lishea (31) were further sentenced to 5 years for housebreaking with intent to rob and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said on 30 August 2020 morning, two customers entered Madeira Shop in Christiana and found an elderly couple murdered in their shop.
“The duo also found the place to be in disarray with the husband tied with cable ties, dried blood on both the couple’s noses and money tills opened. The police were immediately notified.
“The daughter of the deceased later came and confirmed the cellphones and money to be missing. The post-mortem reports revealed that, the elderly woman died as a result of strangulation, while her husband died as a result of coronary artery disease,” he said.
Mamothame added that, the police investigations led them to the arrest of Brits at Jan Kempdorp on 1 September 2020. He said some items were found in Brits’ possession.
“They were later identified by the daughter of the deceased as stolen. Brits subsequently took the police to a house in Christiana, where the loot was shared. On 3 September 2020, Leshea, who is a Lesotho national, was arrested at Durban Deep near Roodepoort in the Gauteng Province.
“During the arrest, police found items that were stolen in the shop during the robbery,” said Mamothame.
Leshea and Brits pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Kgalalelo Molefe urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment on each of the counts of murder. Molefe insisted that the court to consider the seriousness of the offense as the victims were elderly people and the court imposes a sentence that would serve as a deterrent.
Judge Samkelo Gura, agreed with the state and imposed a double life imprisonment and 20 years for each accused.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded Molefe, the police, and other role players for their collaboration in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book.
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