Johannes Motha and Jaco Venter each charged with murder, robbery and theft have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The pair were sentenced at the Nelspruit High Court on Monday, November 6 after the matter was transferred from Delmas High Court.
Motha (360 was found guilty on three counts being murder, robbery and theft of cash. He was convicted on October 27. For murder he was sentenced to life imprisonment, for robbery he got 15 years and for theft he got nine years. All these sentences will run concurrently.
The second accused Venter (36) was also found guilty on three counts being murder, robbery and theft of money. He was convicted on the same day as Motha and he too got the same sentence as his co-accused. His sentences will also run concurrently.
Both Motha and Venter will not be eligible for parole until they serve 25 years in prison.
On the evening of January 6, 2015 three suspects, Johannes Jankowitz (35), Venter and Motha murdered Mr A.M Grobler. The three men entered Grobler’s house situated in Louis Trichardt Street, Extension 10 around 22:00. Entry was not forced as nothing was broken and it seemed one of them might have had keys. In the house was a 68-year-old man (at that time) sleeping in the comfort of his bed.
He was woken up and the men tied his hands and feet.
In addition to some jewellery, his bank card was stolen and money was withdrawn three times in different locations being in eMalahleni, Springs and Kempton Park.
When police arrived on scene they found the man lying on the bed face up with 17 stab wounds.
With Motha and Venter being recently sentenced, Jankowitz had already been sentenced. He was found guilty on three counts being housebreaking with the intent to murder, theft of cash and murder. His sentencing took place at Middleburg High Court on July 26. Jankowitz was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment on all counts.
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