32-year-old Zimbabwean national Andrea Imbayarwo was sentenced to two life imprisonments in the Limpopo High Court: Polokwane Division on Thursday for the rape and murder of Christine Robinson in 2014.

Robinson, who was 55-years-old at the time was a British national and owner of the Raditau Lodge in Thabazimbi.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said Robinson was found in her bedroom on July 30, 2014 with a knife stuck in her neck and was certified dead by paramedics on arrival.

“It soon transpired that the accused, who was employed at the lodge, was missing. It was then discovered that Imbayarwo hired a vehicle to take him to the Beitbridge Border Post with the aim of going to Zimbabwe. Police then followed up on reliable information regarding his whereabouts and Imbayarwo was arrested.”

Ledwaba said Imbayarwo was never granted bail and remained in custody until his sentencing.

The provincial police commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the hefty sentence.