Two life sentences for Dendron farm attack accused
Christopher Mokgomutsi was the last of four suspects to be sentenced for their involvement in the Draaifontein farm attack in 2020.
LIMPOPO – The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the jail terms handed to the last farm attack accused by the Limpopo High Court: Polokwane Division on Friday (March 8).
Christopher Mokgomutsi (42) was sentenced to two life imprisonment and a combined 55 years imprisonment for his involvement in a farm attack on the Draaifontein Farm on August 3, 2020.
Mokgomutsi was part of a quartet of four male suspects who stormed the Draaifontein Farm and assaulted a farmer (62) unconscious before two of the suspects raped the farmer’s wife.
Read more: Prison terms handed down to Dendron farm attack suspects
The suspects then took a hunting rifle and a pistol before fleeing the scene in the victim’s bakkie and were cornered at the Polokwane traffic circle shortly after a manhunt was launched by the Limpopo Special Task Force.
Police attempted to stop the motor vehicle but the suspects fired shots and police retaliated resulting in the death of one of the suspects and the arrest of three.
Police recovered the stolen motor vehicle, firearms and jewelry.
Read more: [WATCH] Hundreds rally as Dendron farm attack suspects appear
The investigating team managed to ensure that bail was not granted until sentencing.
Two of the accused, Aaron Mabena (22) and Nicolus Tlou (33) pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 years and life imprisonment, respectively, in 2021.
Mabena was sentenced for house robbery, attempted murder and theft of firearms while Tlou was sentenced for rape, house robbery, attempted murder and theft of firearms.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased suspect committed rape on the farm owner’s wife together with Nicolus Tlou.
The case against the fourth accused was handled by Detective Warrant Officer Khomotjo Morathi attached to Mogwadi SAPS.
The accused was sentenced as follows:
Count 1 – Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 20 years imprisonment
Count 2 – Rape: Life imprisonment
Count 3 – Attempted murder:10 years imprisonment
Count 4 – Attempted murder: 10 years imprisonment
Count 5 – Possession of a firearm: 10 years imprisonment
Count 6 – Possession of ammunition: 5 years imprisonment
Count 7 – Murder (deceased suspect): life imprisonment.
Hadebe said the investigating team’s diligent work is highly commendable as it ensured justice was served.
