McKeed Kotlolo
McKeed Kotlolo
Four Mpumalanga men have been jailed for life for the brutal murder of a local farmer.
Jabulani Fanosi Thenjekwayo, 29, Thonado Sipho Makhanye, 36, Wonderboy Wilson Mtshali, 27, and Amos Mgqibelo Jele, 27, shot and killed Phillipus Ernst Wolfaardt near his farm at Amsterdam in the Ermelo district on July 3 2004.
Judge Aubrey Ledwaba sentenced each of them to life imprisonment for the murder.
He sentenced them to 17 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years each for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Captain Leonard Hlathi of the organised crime unit in Mpumalanga, said the killers waylaid Wolfaardt en route to pay his farm workers.
When Wolfaardt stopped to clear the road of the logs the killers had placed in his way, they shot him in the head and body.
They then stole R25000 in wages destined for the farm workers.
Ledwaba described the killing as "heinous".
He said it was disturbing that such atrocious crimes were committed by very young people.
He said he had become accustomed to hearing of similar atrocities committed by youngsters.
He said that it was time for the courts to mete out the harshest sentences to such offenders.
Before passing sentence, he said the young offenders' age and their criminal history should not be considered in isolation when passing sentence.
Ledwaba said Wolfaardt was shot dead even though he did not try to defend himself from his attackers.
However, Ledwaba allowed the defence to lodge an appeal within the stipulated period.
It was not clear whether the killers plan to appeal.
Four sentenced for 'heinous' crime
McKeed Kotlolo
McKeed Kotlolo
Four Mpumalanga men have been jailed for life for the brutal murder of a local farmer.
Jabulani Fanosi Thenjekwayo, 29, Thonado Sipho Makhanye, 36, Wonderboy Wilson Mtshali, 27, and Amos Mgqibelo Jele, 27, shot and killed Phillipus Ernst Wolfaardt near his farm at Amsterdam in the Ermelo district on July 3 2004.
Judge Aubrey Ledwaba sentenced each of them to life imprisonment for the murder.
He sentenced them to 17 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years each for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Captain Leonard Hlathi of the organised crime unit in Mpumalanga, said the killers waylaid Wolfaardt en route to pay his farm workers.
When Wolfaardt stopped to clear the road of the logs the killers had placed in his way, they shot him in the head and body.
They then stole R25000 in wages destined for the farm workers.
Ledwaba described the killing as "heinous".
He said it was disturbing that such atrocious crimes were committed by very young people.
He said he had become accustomed to hearing of similar atrocities committed by youngsters.
He said that it was time for the courts to mete out the harshest sentences to such offenders.
Before passing sentence, he said the young offenders' age and their criminal history should not be considered in isolation when passing sentence.
Ledwaba said Wolfaardt was shot dead even though he did not try to defend himself from his attackers.
However, Ledwaba allowed the defence to lodge an appeal within the stipulated period.
It was not clear whether the killers plan to appeal.
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