The High Court in the Free State has sentenced two men to two terms for killing a farmer and his son at a Zwartpan farmhouse in November 2020.
Pieter Hills, 56, and his son Eddie, 26, were attacked and killed in the early hours of November 5.
According to the evidence, the four men went to the farm with the intention of stealing sheep but decided to rob their family when they did not find the sheep.
Fatally stabbed and shot
He broke into the house, stabbed Hills several times and shot Eddie’s son before demanding the keys to the safe.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hills died at the scene a few days later, while his critically injured son Eddie was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
One of the suspects arrested for the murder turned state witness, while the second suspect was found hanging in his cell.
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Tshidiso Bochedi (38) and Mojalefa Modise (40) pleaded not guilty to murder and housebreaking, opting to go to trial but, after the prosecution had led the evidence of seven witnesses, they made a plea that changed their plea to guilty.
According to Phaladi Shuping, NPA regional spokesperson, in aggravation, the State Prosecutor, Advocate Sandile Mthethwa asked the court to sentence the accused to life in prison.
No regrets
He said that was because he had failed to convince the court that there were compelling and compelling circumstances to impose a lesser sentence.
“The accused killed the deceased in cold blood in a comfortable home and showed no remorse. The dangerous circumstances outweighed the mitigating factors. Two lives were taken and no punishment will bring back the deceased but the community is looking for justice to protection and only through harsh sentences will they feel protected,” Mthethwa said.
Acting Superior Court Judge Anthia Ramos agreed with the state that none of the factors presented by the defendant were compelling and compelling circumstances for a lesser sentence.
Judge Ramos concluded that the only sentences to be imposed were life imprisonment for each count of murder and five years for housebreaking.
He also stated that the two defendants were not eligible to possess firearms.
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