The three convicted suspects in the Alyssa Botha and André Jordaan murder case each received two life sentences for robbery and a further 148 years each for the other crimes they committed in the area.
The life of the 13-year-old Monument High School pupil was claimed in a house robbery on 5 September 2012 in Rietfontein. Alyssa’s father and elder sister also were wounded.
Alfred Zwane (28), Samson Mandlezi (24) and Manir Lubisi (28) faced 18 charges that include two murders, two attempted murders and many robberies with aggravated circumstances. The trio also shot and killed Jordaan in his house a day after killing Alyssa.
The Muldersdrift community celebrated the sentencing of the trio and is happy that the crime statistics for the area has dropped in almost all categories.
Speaking on behalf of the Muldersdrift Communication Action Group (MCAG), an group established over a year ago to unite various stakeholders in the area, Mike Francisco says, “Apprehension of the suspects is one thing, but sentencing is another. It gives a very strong message that crime will not be tolerated and supports all the good work the police has been doing over the last 12 months.”
Francisco confirmed that the community is encouraged by the national crime statistics released recently.
“We have seen a decrease in murders and attempted murders and encouragingly a marked decrease in the total number of sexual crimes and assaults. Robberies at residential properties also have decreased,” he says.
It is encouraging to see that in those categories, which are heavily dependent on police action for detection, such as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and drug-related crimes, there has been a dramatic reduction of 50 per cent.
Increased police activity and presence in the area and the successful apprehension, arrest and sentencing of a number of suspects have contributed to the successes.
The most recent of which, being the sentencing of the trio responsible not only for Alyssa’s murder but also a number of other crimes in the area. The private security companies operating in the area also have been extremely proactive as well as the growing number of community and block watch forums.
“While we appreciate that crime prevention is an ongoing responsibility, Muldersdrift remains one of Gauteng’s primary tourist and leisure hubs. With a host of wedding, conference and leisure activities, particularly cycling, it is an exciting and popular destination,” concludes Francisco.
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