By REGINALD KANYANE
11 March 2025- Seven accused persons were sentenced to hefty sentences by the Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley for the brutal murder and robbery of a prominent businessman, Piet Els (86). On 24 January 2018 at around 5am, Els (86) and his female partner (67), were brutally assaulted and tortured on the Carters Ridge Farm, near Kimberley.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said Els sustained traumatic head injuries and died 111 days later in hospital. Kock said Els’ partner was sexually and physically assaulted in the attack.
“The accused, Morapedi Rankali (28), Motlalalentwe Qhautse (37), Lizbeth Ndlala (56), Themba Lawrence Maja (68), Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane (44), Samson Sam Mbokane (63), and Jabulani Wilson Zuma (62), fled with money, jewellery, Krugerrands, two firearms, cell phones, a Mercedes Benz and other valuables.
“The police followed up on information and the stolen vehicle as well as other valuables were recovered. The accused were arrested in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal and Kimberley, respectively between 2018 and 2020,” he said.
Kock further said Morapedi Rankali was sentenced to three years imprisonment for theft, but it was wholly suspended for five years. He added that Motlalalentwe Qhautse sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for house breaking with the intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 years for sexual assault and life for murder.
“Lizbeth Ndlala received 10 years for housebreaking with the intent to rob and robbery. Themba Lawrence Maja was sentenced to 10 years for housebreaking with the intent to rob and robbery. Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane was sentenced to 20 years for house breaking with the intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 years for sexual assault and life for murder.
“Samson Sam Mbokane received 10 years for housebreaking with the intent to rob and robbery, while Jabulani Wilson Zuma was sentenced to 20 years for house breaking with the intent to rob and robbery,” said Kock.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the investigating team, as well as the NPA for the impeccable investigation and prosecution of the case. Otola said the team ensured that justice was served, despite a life being lost in the process.
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