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Murderer and relatives of his victims reconcile

Ntwaagae Seleka

Ntwaagae Seleka

Two relatives of victims who fell prey to Sello Osia Chakane's law of the gun said they had forgiven him.

Emily Sechabela, 54, and Betty Seboka, 50, testified in court how the death of their loved ones affected their families emotionally.

Minutes after Chakane was sentenced, both Sechabela and Seboka exchanged hugs with Chakane and told him that they had forgiven him.

Seboka, whose brother, Mojalefa Frank Khafela, 27, was murdered, said: "Although he brutally killed my brother I have learnt to forgive him.

"I was emotionally touched by Chakane's confessions and the way he asked for forgiveness in court last week."

Sechabela said Chakane killed his only son, Sefatsa Daniel Sechabela, 24, but will forgive him because he handed himself to the police and confessed to the murder.

"Had he not come forward we would not have known even today who killed our loved ones," said Seboka.

"But I am happy that at the end justice prevailed." said Seboka.

In court Chakane apologised to the two women.

"I hope that God gives you strength and power to forgive me though I have sinned against you," said Chakane.

He said that it would be difficult for them to forget what he did to their children.

Before he left the court Chakane said: "May God be with you all and give you strength to carry on with your lives. Do not worry because the Lord loves you all, guys."

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