The Free State High Court in Bethlehem has sentenced the Kestell farm massacre killer, Kamohelo Motankisi, to 210 years’ imprisonment on Thursday, 24 October.
Motankisi was sentenced to life imprisonment for seven counts of murder, 15 years for robbery under aggravating circumstances, 10 years for two counts of sexual assault, five years for possession of an unlicensed firearm, and five years for housebreaking with intent to steal and theft. All sentences are to run concurrently with life imprisonment.
Motankisi was found guilty of killing Binto Smit, her son Rhudi, and five farm workers: Nokufa Monareng (30), Lerato Moloi (33), Mothoduwa Moloi (36), Nomasonto Zulu (56), and Nomasontsha Maduna (43) on Friday, 15 October.
The High Court Judge, Celest Reinders, said sentencing is indeed a difficult task.
It’s expected to impose suitable sentences after convictions from the point of departure, considering the nature of the crime and public interest. She said the sentence should carefully weigh up all the factors and each taken into consideration.
Judge Reinders made reference to numerous previous sentences where people were killed and emphasised that her judgement should respond to the range of killings countrywide.
“The gravity of murders cannot be overstated. The photo album narrates the horrendous story of the fateful day. A trail of blood of mutilated bodies floated the house. The witnesses described the crime scene as the most horrific they ever encountered in their careers.”
“This court considered a pandemic of murders in the country. The court should send out a clear message to the criminals who commit such serious offences. The amount of damage caused by the deaths is still devastating to the families,” she said.
Reinders’ judgment was responding to the defence lawyer Advocate Mzingizi Vulindlela who submitted that the court should impose a lesser sentence on the killer because he admitted guilt.
“He is 35 years old. A married husband with two daughters. He was employed. He was supporting his wife, his mother, his convicted nephew.”
“He can be rehabilitated. The fact he admitted guilt shows remorse for what he has done. He is a first offender,” said Vulindlela.
However, Judge Reinders said on record that she agreed with State Prosecutor Advocate Antonette Ferreira when she said the killer had no mercy. He brutalised the victims in an inhumane manner.
Judge Reinders further highlighted that the Prosecutor submitted reports from family members where they explained how their lives had been changed immediately after the incident.
The court also accused the killer of displaying his carelessness about other people’s lives, which was seen in the pictures of the deceased and how they were murdered.
Meanwhile, accused 2 in the matter, Lerato Selepe, admitted guilt at the start of the trial and was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. He turned into a state witness and put the horrible attack on the shoulders of his uncle.
The court described the killer (Motankisi) as an intelligent man who applied his manipulative tactics to delay the court from reaching the end of the trial.
“He made families experience huge pain by coming to the court every day, only for him to delay the proceedings.”
“At the end of the judgement, he raised his hand and requested the court to give him a chance to apologise to the family members and society at large. The court went into a chaotic situation as families couldn’t control their tears,” said Judge Reinders.
