TWO brothers from Mabaleni near Mtwalume, who pleaded guilty to the bloody massacre that left eight of their family members dead, were granted leave to appeal their life sentences last Friday.
Sibonelo Eric Mncwabe (26) and Thulani Donatus (28) pleaded guilty last Wednesday in the Turton Magistrates’ Court to the murders, including those of five children.
They told the court the reason behind the murders was that they believed their uncle and aunt, Mantinga and Shonisile Mncwabe, were practising witchcraft and were responsible for the deaths of their siblings.
Judge Jacqueline Henriques sentenced the brothers to seven life terms, plus 20 years. She accepted a submission by Legal Aid that another court might find that, in the light of the mitigating circumstances, the seven life sentences imposed were inappropriate and conclude that a lesser sentence was justified.
The siblings have decided not to appeal against the 20 year sentence for killing their uncle Mantinga Mncwabe (72) by setting his hut alight. State advocate, Mbongeni Mthembu, opposed the application for leave to appeal, citing the aggravating features of the case – which included the callous murders of the children – as far out-weighing any mitigating circumstances. The life sentences in this regard was the only appropriate sentence.
Judge Henriques added that this was a serious case and said it was possible that a full bench would be better equipped to consider an appropriate sentence.
