By Thys Khiba – The High Court of South Africa in Bloemfontein, Free State Division, has sentenced Tshidiso Bochedi and Mojalefa Modise to two life terms each after they were convicted of killing a father, Pieter Hills and his son, Eddie at their farm in Hennenman.
This comes after Bochedi and Modise killed 56-year-old Pieterand his 26-year-old Eddie on 05 November 2020 at the Zwartpan farm.
Pieter died at the scene and Eddie was transported to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries few days later.
Acting Judge Anthia Ramos sentenced the two men after one of the suspects became a state witness and the second one was found hanging in his cell after they were arrested.
“The four men went to the farm with the intention of stealing sheep but decided to rob the family when they could not find any sheep.
“The accused entered the house, stabbed Pieter several times and shot Eddie before demanding the keys for the safe,” said NPA spokesperson Phaladi Shuping.
Bochedi and Modise faced a trial after they both pleaded not guilty but, after the prosecution had led testimony of seven witnesses, they made admissions that changed their pleas to guilty.
The State Prosecutor, Adv. Sandile Mthethwa, told the court to sentence the accused to life imprisonment as a prescribed sentence that the court should impose.
Mthethwa believes that they failed to convince the court that substantial and compelling circumstances exist for imposition of a lesser sentence.
“The accused killed the deceased in a cold-blooded manner in the comfort of their home and failed to show any remorse. Aggravating circumstances far outweigh the mitigating factors.
“Two lives were taken away and no sentence will bring back the deceased, but the community is looking upon the courts for protection and it is only through harsh sentences that they will feel protected”, said Mthethwa.
In agreement with the State, Judge Ramos announced that neither of the factors presented by the accused constitute substantial and compelling circumstances and the only sentence to impose is life imprisonment for each count of murder and five years for housebreaking.
Ramos further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
FREE STATE CENTRAL NEWS
—————————————————————
DO YOU HAVE A NEWS STORY OR AN OPINION FOR CENTRAL NEWS: E-mail us : newsroom@centralnews.co.za or Whatsapp us on 0833989119